DraftKings terminates WSOP sponsorship deal
Pair have gone their separate ways after Nevada regulator ruled daily fantasy was gambling
DraftKings has terminated its sponsorship agreement with Caesars Interactiveâs World Series of Poker brand following Nevadaâs decision to license daily fantasy operators in the state. [private]
DraftKings and the WSOP struck a deal back in May this year, becoming the poker giantâs official daily fantasy sports partner.
But a Caesars Interactive spokesman confirmed to eGR North America that the partnership had come to an end following the Nevada regulatorâs ruling.
âIn light of last weekâs news in Nevada, DraftKings asked us to cease any sponsorship activities around the remaining few WSOP events of the year, and we complied,â the spokesman said.
Last week the Nevada Gaming Control Board released the findings of its investigation into where daily fantasy sports sits within state gaming law, and ruled that it met the definition of gambling.
The regulator ordered daily fantasy sports operators to shut down their sites immediately and apply for a sportsbook license if they wish to continue offering contests to players in the states.
Most operators responded immediately, however DraftKings was still allowing players to adjust their lineups the weekend after the ruling was made public but has since withdrawn from the market.
FanDuel and DraftKings have both launched a petition to overturn the ruling as part of a wider grassroots movement after other states announced their own investigation into the industry.