DraftKings Sportsbook found yet another way to make sure it has a strong sports betting presence throughout the state of Illinois.
DraftKings will provide content and programming to Accel Entertainment, which operates video gaming terminals in more than 2,300 locations across the state. The agreement began today.
“DraftKings is excited to be working with Accel as we continue to reach more sports bettors across the state of Illinois,” Chief Business Officer Ezra Kucharz said. “This collaboration is a natural fit for us as Accel is a trusted brand who will provide on-the-ground support to complement our efforts in Illinois and beyond. We look forward to providing customers with more ways to engage with our exceptional content through Accel’s digital display screens.”
Accel’s in-location digital display screens will show DraftKings Sportsbook content like ads for mobile app signups, sports betting lines and promotions.
How does this help DraftKings Sportsbook?
DraftKings Sportsbook definitely gets more exposure throughout the Illinois sports betting landscape. How much extra business that translates to is a bit hard to predict for now.
The Accel locations are not in-person sports betting registration sites. That means once Gov. JB Pritzker ends his executive order allowing mobile registration, the only place to sign up for DraftKings in the state is at DraftKings at Casino Queen in East St. Louis.
The current exception for mobile registration expires Sept. 19. Pritzkers’ office did not respond to questions about a potential extension before publication.
In-person registration runs through at least the first year and a half of sports betting. That puts the potential end around September 2021.
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins made it clear he was happy to see remote registration back while also calling out the “corrupt idiots” at Rush Street in a since-deleted tweet.
Wrigley Field deal gives DraftKings a Chicago presence
The agreement with Accel Entertainment could pay off when DraftKings Sportsbook opens a retail book at Wrigley Field.
That will be the first time anyone around Chicago can visit a DraftKings retail location without traveling 300 miles.
The sportsbook is scheduled to open in 2022, though. By then, remote registration should be available throughout the state.
