DraftKings delays UK launch to early 2016

DraftKings Inc has delayed its planned product launch for the UK fantasy sports market, pushing back its release to “early next year”.

The US based fantasy sports operator, confirmed the delay this morning via the release of a short statement.

Having gained a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence in August, DraftKings had earmarked the release of dedicated UK DFS product in Q4 2015.

The operator had further appointed former bwin.party Entertainment Group Poker Director Jeffery Haas to lead the product launch as Chief International Officer (CIO).

Nearing its planned UK launch date, DraftKings operational legality would come under scrutiny following raised questions of the DFS industry by US lawmakers amid concerns of data policy breaches by DraftKings and main competitor FanDuel employees.

A rough Q4 2015 for DraftKings and FanDuel has seen the operators being served ‘cease & desist’ injunctions by New York Attorney General Eric T Schneiderman.

US fantasy sports news sources have reported that player activity has declined on DraftKings DFS tournaments during the Q4 2015 period, which in previous years has been marked as the busiest period for the DFS sector as the NFL season reaches its ‘play-off’ qualifying period.

DraftKings stated that it would update the market regarding its UK product launch in 2016