DraftKings partners with Chicago Cubs on Wrigley Stadium sportsbook
New venue requires approval from the city of Chicago despite legalized betting and mobile registration in Illinois
DraftKings has struck up a partnership with the MLB’s Chicago Cubs that includes building a sportsbook at the team’s Wrigley Field stadium.
Although betting is legal in Illinois, including mobile registration as per a recent executive order passed by the governor, the stadium sportsbook will need approval from the city of Chicago.
DraftKings gained market access in Illinois via its contract with Casino Queen – now rebranded DraftKings at Casino Queen.
Chicago, USA- May 1,2011: Wrigley Field Stadium – Home of Chicago Cubs – major league baseball team of Chicago and people waiting in line in front of it. Wrigley Field is one of the oldest baseball fields in the country.
As part of the deal with the Chicago Cubs, DraftKings will also become the exclusive betting and DFS operator for the team.
According to a statement, the joint sportsbook venue will offer “the best in class entertainment experience for sports fans in Illinois.”
DraftKings president Matt Kalish said: “This is truly a historic moment, as we are thrilled to align with the renowned Chicago Cubs franchise and iconic Wrigley Field to provide sports bettors in Chicago with a revolutionary sports betting experience.
“As two organizations that share a mutual passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, we look forward to working in collaboration with the Cubs, an organization steeped in tradition, and making our presence felt in and around Wrigleyville,” he added.
Crane Kenney, president of business operations for Chicago Cubs, said: “An increasing number of sports fans want to integrate sports betting into their game experience, and we’re excited to be one of the first to engage in developing a retail sportsbook at a professional sports venue.”
This will be the first in-stadium sportsbook to be built in partnership with a team.
In a similar move, Betfred Sports is building a betting lounge in Denver’s Mile High stadium’s Empower Field via its sponsorship with the NFL’s Denver Broncos.
The venue will not have any retail betting kiosks but will target tailgaters to place bets on their mobile and view Betfred odds and game stats ahead of the game.