Tribal gaming interests have proven to be an important element in the expansion of regulated sports betting in the United States. With their established gaming ecosystems, and tremendous political clout, name-brand sportsbooks have long recognized how Indian casinos are a fast-track to establishing a toehold in new markets. The significance of those relationships was front and center at a panel at the recent Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention in San Diego.
The discussion, which was moderated by Indian Gaming Association Conference Chair Victor Rocha, included DraftKings CEO and co-founder Jason Robins and FanDuel Group President Christian Genetski, focused on the long-term relationships that these operators are building with federally recognized Indian tribes.
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins pointed to his company’s first partnership with tribal gaming, a 2020 agreement with the Bay Mills Resort & Casino, as an example of how this dynamic works. “Each state is different but what we saw at Bay Mills was a tribe that really wanted the partnership and understood that this was something that could truly be a win-win. I feel like what we’ve been able to do together has been impactful for us and impactful for them and that’s what is really important to us,” he said in comments reported on by SBC Americas.
Of crucial importance to Robins, and the other big operators, was the idea that these Partnerships are there for the long haul. “In all those partnerships, we take the same high-level philosophy which is, we are going to be in business together for a long time,” he added.
One place where Indian casinos and big sports betting are not getting along so well is California. Golden State tribes have stymied every regulated sports betting initiative there so far. Until DraftKings and FanDuel can navigate that particular relationship with tribal gaming, the big prize will still be just a dream.