DraftKings Racing now live in nine states for Derby
Table of contents
- DraftKings expanded its integrated Racing product into six additional US states on April 27, ahead of the Kentucky Derby on May 2.
- The product now sits within the DraftKings Sportsbook app across nine states, as part of the operator’s broader Super App strategy.
- A $1 million “King of the Track” cash promotion is available to customers who opt in and place a $5 win bet on the Derby winner.
DraftKings has expanded DraftKings Racing into six new US states, bringing the integrated horse racing product to nine states in total ahead of the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2.
The operator confirmed on April 27 that Florida, Louisiana, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio and Oregon had gone live, following the product’s debut in Delaware, New Mexico and Rhode Island in late March.
Super App build-out
DraftKings Racing is embedded directly within the DraftKings Sportsbook app, replacing the standalone DK Horse product on a state-by-state basis.
It forms a central part of the company’s wider Super App vision, which aims to bring Sportsbook, Predictions, Casino and Lottery into a single platform under the “DraftKings Sports & Casino” banner, with product availability governed by state-level regulation.
The operator’s overall horse racing wagering footprint now spans 32 states, with the new additions including Ohio’s large sports betting market and Florida, where commercial gaming expansion options remain limited. A unified account and shared balance across DraftKings platforms are central to the offering.
Johnny Avello, Director of Race and Sports Operations at DraftKings, said:
“DraftKings is committed to delivering the best fan experience across sports, and we’re proud to continue elevating that experience for horse racing with DraftKings Racing. DraftKings Racing is designed for speed and simplicity, offering a seamless and powerful way to engage with the sport’s biggest moments. By integrating horse racing directly into the DraftKings Sportsbook app, customers can wager across sports in one place — creating a more connected and streamlined experience.”
Derby promotion
For the Kentucky Derby, DraftKings is running a “King of the Track” promotion offering a $1 million prize pool to customers who opt in and correctly pick the winner with a $5 straight win bet. Winners receive a share of the pool in cash rather than bonus bets. The promotion spans both DraftKings Racing and DK Horse, depending on which product is available in a given state.
DK Horse will remain available as a standalone app in states where it currently operates and will be phased out as DraftKings Racing rolls out jurisdiction by jurisdiction. The Racing product operates under separate regulatory frameworks from online sports betting, meaning availability will vary by state regardless of whether a sportsbook licence is active there.
What comes next
DraftKings Racing will continue its state-by-state rollout, with additional jurisdictions expected to go live before the end of 2026. The operator is also pursuing an Alberta launch pending regulatory approval, as it looks to extend its footprint beyond the US market.
The Kentucky Derby provides a high-visibility test for the integrated racing model at peak traffic. A strong performance could accelerate the timeline for retiring DK Horse entirely. The Racing expansion also adds context to recent legal scrutiny the operator faces: DraftKings is among the defendants in a microbetting lawsuit brought against major US operators and the NFL, and a separate March Madness marketing dispute was only recently resolved in its favour.
As the company broadens its product suite, regulatory and legal exposure across multiple fronts will remain a watchpoint for investors.
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