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Thanks to two gaming operators, the New York sports betting market has become one of the largest in the country. These operators are solely responsible for driving the industry in the entire state.
Operators of online NY sports betting have accumulated $22.7 billion in sports wagers since its launch in January 2022. As a consequence, they have generated $1.9 billion in revenue, while the state has received $978 million in taxes.
FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook are the primary beneficiaries of the lucrative New York gaming industry, much to the satisfaction of policymakers in the state.
And by a significant margin.
FanDuel, DraftKings NY sports betting dominance by the numbers
FanDuel Sportsbook NY and DraftKings Sportsbook NY have emerged as a formidable duo in New York, comparable in strength to the iconic partnership of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. However, the dominance of FanDuel and DraftKings in the state’s industry surpasses even that legendary duo.
The New York State Gaming Commission’s April revenue figures provide undeniable evidence that FanDuel was at the forefront.
- Handle: $626.2 million
- The total gaming revenue amounted to $70.9 million.
- Tax revenue: $33.1 million
DraftKings secured second place, showcasing the following figures:
- Handle: $516.4 million
- The gross gaming revenue amounts to $44.9 million.
- Tax revenue: $22.9 million
When you combine the cumulative figures from FanDuel and DraftKings and compare them with the totals from the remaining seven New York sportsbooks, the dominant performance of the top two becomes evident.
FD and DK experienced a surge in accepted wagers amounting to approximately $738.3 million in April. Additionally, their gross gaming revenue rose by around $92.9 million, leading to an increase in tax revenue by approximately $47.5 million.
Why are FanDuel and DraftKings so far ahead of other NY sportsbooks?
FanDuel and DraftKings have experienced significant growth in New York, surpassing their competitors. This can largely be attributed to the sense of familiarity and ease that accompanies signing up with them. People tend to prefer using brands and companies they are already acquainted with, and these two sportsbooks fulfill that preference due to the surge in popularity of daily fantasy sports during the 2010s.
In 2009, FanDuel came into existence, and just two years later, the company secured significant funding, paving the way for further expansion. In 2012, DraftKings emerged, primarily catering to one-on-one baseball betting contests. The turning point for DraftKings came in 2013 when Major League Baseball made a substantial investment, propelling the company to new heights.
Having both a sportsbook and daily fantasy sports available on a single platform gives a significant advantage over competitors. If you are interested in both activities, it is most convenient to use the same mobile app for both.
The apps of FanDuel and DraftKings provide exceedingly smooth experiences, with minimal glitches or freezes. Moreover, these platforms offer an extensive range of betting markets, surpassing those of any other New York sportsbook.
FanDuel and DraftKings’ ability to outearn other sports betting companies enables them to allocate larger budgets towards marketing and advertising. Consequently, New Yorkers frequently encounter their ads while watching TV, browsing social media, or listening to podcasts. This consistent presence of advertisements solidifies FanDuel and DraftKings’ positions as dominant players in the industry.
DraftKings is the Robin to FanDuel’s Batman
FanDuel and DraftKings emerge as the dominant players in the New York sports betting market when considering the larger perspective. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that there exists a significant disparity between the two, with FanDuel leading the way.
During DraftKings’ Q1 earnings call, Jason Robins, the co-founder and CEO of DK, was questioned about their strategy to close the gap with FanDuel. Robins expressed that the presence of a thriving competitor like FanDuel serves as an inspiration for DraftKings and its staff.
Robins expressed that having a significant competitor like FanDuel is undoubtedly advantageous. He stated that it provides them with a target on the OSB side, making them feel motivated to catch up.
In total, if we consider the complete online NY sports betting revenue, FanDuel has surpassed DraftKings by accepting wagers worth almost $2.5 billion more. Additionally, FanDuel has earned $411.6 million more in gross gaming revenue and contributed nearly $211 million more in taxes.
FanDuel’s remarkable success can be attributed primarily to its parent company, Flutter Entertainment, a renowned global sports betting enterprise that manages some of the most prominent and widely favored gambling brands worldwide.
FanDuel’s profitability in the New York market has been boosted by its association with industry giant Flutter, allowing the company to sustain its successful trajectory. In contrast, DraftKings is still grappling with the challenge of achieving profitability in New York.