Drive by DraftKings to Invest More in Real-Money Gaming

Venture capital firm Drive by DraftKings has announced its intention to intensify its focus on real-money gaming (RMG) with the launch of its second fund, highlighting the sector’s rapid growth and its transformative impact on user engagement with entertainment.

Drive by DraftKings to Double Down on the Evolving RMG Market

Drive’s confidence comes at a time of significant industry evolution, where real-money elements are increasingly merging with mainstream sports, gaming, and digital content experiences. Real-money gaming sector continues to push boundaries beyond traditional sportsbooks and online casinos.

Drive notes that the technical foundation supporting these real-money experiences has advanced rapidly since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, which opened the door to legalized sports betting in the US. Today, users can deposit, wager, and withdraw funds within minutes, thanks to integrated geolocation, KYC protocols, and real-time compliance systems. 

According to Drive, RMG already exceeds $100 billion in global gross gaming revenue (GGR) and is set to exceed $150 billion by 2030, which would mark a 10% annual growth. Additionally, AI-driven development tools are speeding up production cycles, allowing smaller studios to build, test, and launch streamlined products with greater efficiency.

RMG Has Hit the Mainstream, the Firm Says

Although online sports betting is now legal in 30 US states and Washington, DC, with seven also allowing some form of iGaming, Drive emphasizes that the definition of “legal” is still evolving. The firm notes that DFS-style contests and sweepstakes are coming under increased regulatory scrutiny, yet their rapid uptake signals continued strong demand for accessible, low-friction real-money experiences.

As prediction markets continue to gain traction, Drive advises that founders embed compliance into product design from the outset. At the same time, the venture capital firm points out that real-money gaming has largely moved past its previous stigma. With advancements in infrastructure and regulation, real-money gaming (RMG) has entered the mainstream. What was once considered niche or even taboo is now seamlessly woven into everyday media, sports coverage, and social platforms, Drive says.

The boundaries between playing and getting paid have effectively disappeared. The company gives an example of wagering $5 on a Fortnite killstreak or earning cash from a round of Doodle Jump to point out that the distinction between gamer and gambler is increasingly blurred.

RMG is also becoming a core part of the sports experience. Odds, betting lines, and sponsored content are now commonplace across pregame, in-game, and postgame broadcasts, which is fundamentally changing how fans interact with every moment.

This normalization is broadening the potential audience. Even users traditionally monetized through free-to-play models are now engaging with real-money formats. Founders are actively exploring how these mechanics can redefine competitive entertainment.