DraftKings boosts DC lobbying efforts with new legal partnership
Ballard Partners also represents FanDuel, IGT and professional sports leagues like NBA and MLB
DraftKings has hired Washington law firm Ballard Partners to boost its federal lobbying efforts in the US.
Ballard claims to provide a broad range of governmental and public affairs experience to its clientele.
“Our strategy first advocacy plans allow us to advance issues and agendas and navigate government relations,” its site says.
The firm also represents fellow gaming operators FanDuel and Churchill Downs, as well as industry supplier IGT and professional sports leagues like the MLB and NBA.
According to PR news outlet O’Dwyers, DraftKings’ representation will be led by Brian Ballard, who chaired the Trump Victory organization in Florida.
In 2019, the operator incurred losses of $142.7m in 2019 on continued platform development and expansion into new states.
It is in the process of finalizing a three-way combination with betting supplier SBTech and Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp as it moves towards becoming publicly listed.
In an effort to minimize the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lack of sports, the firm has been pushing pools and free-to-play contests on the Australian Football League and some reality TV shows.