Dabble CEO refuses to rule out expansion into US sports betting
Tom Rundle says DFS operator could explore a stateside sportsbook, but reveals it is not something users can expect any time soon
Dabble CEO Tom Rundle has explained that the Australian operator has no plans to launch a sportsbook in the US at this stage, although such an expansion could be in the pipeline in the long-term.
Dabble is live in Australia, with players able to place real-money wagers, while its US offering is limited to a DFS product launched in 20 states in October 2023.
Dabble’s DFS users can play tournaments across NFL, NBA, MLB, and Australian basketball NBL, as well as NCAA basketball and football.
Launches in a further six states and Washington DC in the 18 months that have followed have expanded Dabble’s US reach further, but Rundle has noted a sportsbook launch is unlikely in the near future.
Speaking exclusively to EGR, Rundle, when asked if US users could expect online sports betting with Dabble soon, explained: “Not at this stage. We’re not saying no. We’ve definitely looked at it.
“There’s a few options. I think eventually we’d like to probably be in as many states as we can and as many jurisdictions as we can, and that includes places like Brazil and OSB [online sports betting] in the US.”
Rundle pointed out that the cost of establishing sportsbook operations in the US can serve as a significant obstacle and that Dabble plans to hold fire on such a launch until it is the “right time.”
He claimed: “I think there’s a lot of operators that have gone into certain states in the US into that licensed market, and they’ve really struggled to make an impact. It’s drained a lot of their resources.
“With a logical, targeted approach in the right places at the right time, it’s definitely something we’d be interested in doing, and we’re certainly looking at our software to make sure that we’d be compliant with any regulations.
“If that opportunity does come up, then we’d be ready to move pretty quickly because I think it’s definitely a big opportunity.
“As I said, I think our product is pretty engaging in all the states we’re able to operate in. So, if we could introduce it into some new states, I think it’d be very engaging and exciting as well.”
First launched in July 2021, the Darwin-based outfit places significant emphasis on the social aspect of its offering, with customers able to access an activity feed where users follow each other.
Last October, reports emerged the business was exploring either a US or Australian IPO, with plans to quadruple revenue by 2027.