Leading daily fantasy sports site DraftKings appears to be preparing for a leap across the pond. That’s after news of DraftKings’ application with the UKGC for the necessary licenses to operate in the United Kingdom. The application was first noted by Bigo1_ on Twitter. DraftKings had not responded to a request for comment as of writing.
The UKGC website makes linking to application records tricky. You can view the application in the image at the end of the article or visit the UKGC search page and search for DraftKings to view the application. DraftKings originally broadcasted their plans for international expansion in December 2014.
DraftKings has applied for a “Gambling Software” and “Pool Betting” license for remote betting. While the application is a necessary precursor to operating in the United Kingdom, it does not start any ticking clock that allows us to project when DraftKings might receive approval.
With that said, DraftKings has been eyeing the market for some time and the UKGC has been relatively expeditious on the licensing front. Within that context, approval could come in weeks as opposed to months.
Following approval, DraftKings would have to make a strategic decision about when to launch in the market, a complex decision that must consider not only the best window for launch in the UK market, but also contemplate how a push in the UK would potentially pull resources from efforts in the U.S. market.
