DraftKings Announces UK Launch
After much anticipation, DraftKings UK has finally launched.
This is a huge move, as the DFS operator becomes the first to allow contestants from anywhere but the United States and Canada.
The fact DraftKings has taken this giant leap despite current legal issues swirling about makes this feat even more astounding, and shows that the daily fantasy industry is very much alive and still growing.
Separate or shared contests?
The one question that everyone seems to be asking is if the UK contestants will be be able to enter the same contests as the existing DraftKings users from the United States and Canada.
It has been confirmed that there is only one player pool, which means UK users will be able to compete in the same contests as current DraftKings users. It will be very interesting to see how this expansion affects the field of play, but it’s safe to assume soccer will be the most popular sport among the UK contestants, which tends to be more of a niche sport in the U.S. and Canada market.
This is even more evident considering DraftKings just secured partnerships with several EPL clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Watford.
Looking ahead
There’s no better way to grow DFS, especially when it comes to soccer, than to set up base in the country that offers the most exciting league in the world, and these deals with the Premier League clubs should help the company gain popularity quickly within the UK.
All in all, this expansion is a huge win for the industry and its players, and you may want to start polishing up on some soccer knowledge in hopes of swiping a few pounds off our new competitors.