DraftKings partners with Tulalip Tribes for sports betting in Washington

DraftKings will operate two retail sportsbooks with the Tulalip Tribes of Washington.

US.- DraftKings and the Tulalip Tribes of Washington have announced an exclusive market-access partnership that will bring the DraftKings retail sportsbook to the state of Washington. The deal will initially cover the Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Creek Casino.

Pending licensure and regulatory approvals, the DraftKings Sportsbook at Tulalip Resort Casino is to feature a 5,000 square-foot space with a 50-foot video wall, more than two dozen kiosks and eight ticket windows. The design of the DraftKings Sportsbook at Quil Ceda Creek Casino is still early in the planning phase.

Tulalip Tribes chairwoman Teri Gobin said: “As we get ready to open our sportsbooks, we are excited to announce our exclusive partnership with the best in the business, DraftKings.” 

Gobin added: “We’re ready to take our gaming experience to the next level. Like Tulalip, DraftKings is committed to excellence and, together, we’re going to give sports fans a one-of-a-kind experience. We can’t wait for our customers to share our journey as we build the newest addition to our entertainment destinations.”

Michael Kibort, senior director for retail sportsbooks at DraftKings, stated: “Today marks an exciting day for DraftKings as we are set to expand our sports betting footprint to the great Pacific Northwest. 

“In collaboration with the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, we look forward to bringing the very best in real-money gaming experiences to a state with a passionate fanbase spanning major professional sports leagues.”

Tribal sports betting in the state

In November, a study conducted by the Washington State University found that sports betting at the region’s tribal casinos could become a $94m business in the next five years. The research found that nearly 14 per cent of Washington residents were likely to participate in the emerging sports betting industry.

Washington University, which presented the work to the Washington State Gaming Commission, said the figures were a reflection of the enthusiasm for professional and collegiate sports wagering. It is estimated that sports betting at tribal casinos will create an estimated 273 direct jobs.

See also: Maverick files lawsuit over tribal gaming monopoly in Washington