DraftKings backs B-Dubs DFS offering
US sports bar and restaurant chain Buffalo Wild Wings, which confirmed earlier this month to iGamingBusiness.com that it is exploring opportunities to offer sports betting, has agreed a new daily fantasy sports partnership with DraftKings.
The chain – also known as B-Dubs – will offer DraftKings’ ‘Blazin’ Fantasy Football’ game on an exclusive basis via a mobile app in its restaurants from September 9 to coincide with the first full Sunday of the 2018-19 NFL American football season.
When asked by iGamingBusiness.com whether the DraftKings agreement includes the provision to be expanded into a sportsbook partnership, a B-Dubs spokesman said that no further details could be provided at this point.
The spokesman reiterated the company’s statement released earlier this month.
“As the largest sports bar in America, we believe Buffalo Wild Wings is uniquely positioned to leverage sports gaming to enhance the restaurant experience for our guests,” the company said. “We are actively exploring opportunities, including potential partners, as we evaluate the next steps for our brand.”
From tomorrow (Thursday), a new marketing campaign entitled ‘Espace to Football’ will promote the new DFS offering with DraftKings, while B-Dubs will offer a new American football-focused $5-and-up range on its menu from September 6, when the first two games of the season take place.
DraftKings chief business officer Ezra Kucharz said: “Our mission has always been to create innovative and exciting ways for fans to engage with their favourite sports and our Blazin’ Fantasy Football product is an excellent example.”
B-Dubs has been looking to spruce up its offering after having suffered a slowdown in sales in recent years.
After the company was recently acquired by Roark Capital Group for $2.9bn, CEO Paul Brown told Business Insider that B-Dubs’ competition had “been a little bit more innovative”.
With a presence in every US state and more than 44,000 employees, the introduction of sports betting would establish B-Dubs a significant presence across the country as states gradually pass legislation.
It is anticipated that at least 15 US states will have passed laws to regulate sports betting by the end of next year, with at least 32 states estimated to have approved legislation within five years.