October 9, 2024 3 min read

likes:

Fact-checked by Stoyan Todorov

Hard Rock Open to Collaborate with DraftKings and FanDuel in Florida

Hard Rock International chairman Jim Allen made this suggestion during an interview at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas

Hard Rock International, the current leader in Florida’s regulated sports betting market, suggests it might team up with big names like DraftKings and FanDuel in the future. 

G2E Insights: Jim Allen Contemplates Alliances with Betting Giants DraftKings and FanDuel

Jim Allen, who heads Hard Rock International and runs Seminole Gaming, dropped this hint while chatting at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas. He brought up the idea of working together with the two companies.

In his chat with CNBC’s Contessa Brewer, Allen highlighted the possible long-term gains from teaming up with big names like DraftKings and FanDuel. He did not give away much, but he did mention he had talked with bosses from both companies. He seemed open to looking into deals that could help everyone involved. Allen hinted that joining forces with brands that have a strong hold on the market might turn out well, not just for Hard Rock, but for DraftKings and FanDuel too.

This news arrives as Hard Rock has a monopoly on legal sports betting in Florida, after a long legal fight that ended with the Seminole Tribe getting exclusive rights to sports betting in the state. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis played a big part in backing the tribe’s sports betting agreement, which made it through several legal challenges. The Florida Supreme Court’s choice to uphold the agreement stopped other companies from joining the market even though DraftKings and FanDuel had shown interest before.

DraftKings and FanDuel Stay Optimistic about Florida

Even with this roadblock big players in the industry like DraftKings and FanDuel have not given up on their plans for Florida. Amy Howe, CEO of FanDuel, said they are keeping a close eye on what is happening in the state. They are also watching other important markets such as California and Texas. Florida is very appealing to sports betting companies because it is growing fast and is now the third-biggest state in the country.

Allen also pointed out that Hard Rock has a strong presence in Florida right now, but the Seminole Tribe, which runs Hard Rock, has not shared its sports betting revenue numbers because it is a sovereign nation. This lack of public information is different from other states like New York where they report sports betting revenues.

Allen made it clear that Hard Rock has good relationships with DraftKings and FanDuel. He stressed that keeping these ties strong is crucial after what happened with commercial operators in California in 2022. Back then, sports betting companies got into a fight with California’s tribal gaming groups over a controversial sports betting ballot measure creating tensions that commercial operators have not fixed yet.

Silvia has dabbled in all sorts of writing – from content writing for social media to movie scripts. She has a Bachelor's in Screenwriting and experience in marketing and producing documentary films. With her background as a customer support agent within the gambling industry, she brings valuable insight to the Gambling News writers’ team.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *