Twin River signs Colorado market access deals with DraftKings and FanDuel

New York-listed casino operator Twin River Worldwide Holdings has signed separate market access partnerships to allow both DraftKings and FanDuel to launch sports betting in Colorado.

The deals follow Twin River’s acquisition of three Colorado casinos from Affinity Gaming, including the Golden Gates, Golden Gulch and Mardi Gras casinos in Black Hawk.

The acquisition gave Twin River the right to three sports betting licences in Colorado, with the company retaining the third licence for its own future use.

“Obtaining the right to three sports gaming licenses in Colorado will expand our footprint in the state well beyond our Arapahoe Park racetrack and off-track betting network,” said Twin River president and CEO George Papanier.

“These newly-formed partnerships with DraftKings and FanDuel allow us to provide an unmatched sports betting experience to Colorado, not only with their mobile betting access, but also with an exciting DraftKings retail sportsbook location inside one of our newly acquired casinos.”

Colorado is the fifth US state where the FanDuel Sportsbook platform will be available, and is the sixth state to host the DraftKings Sportsbook platform. Following voter approval of a ballot measure in the state last November, sports betting will be decriminalised in Colorado as of 1 May.

“Coast to coast, DraftKings is committed to providing states across the country with the ultimate experience in legal sports betting,” said DraftKings chief business officer Ezra Kucharz. “Twin River is committed to providing exciting, real-time gaming opportunities, and we look forward to working alongside them to introduce Colorado sports fans to our award-winning product.”

FanDuel Group CEO Matt King added: “Twin River has been engaged in sports betting since the beginning in Rhode Island and Mississippi, and they are an ideal partner as we continue to enter states that open up online and mobile sports betting.

“Colorado has a sensible framework for sports betting, and we are excited to partner with a renowned gaming company like Twin River to bring our market-leading online sports betting experience to Colorado sports fans.”

Twin River now owns seven casinos in the United States, comprising two casinos in Rhode Island, one in Mississippi, one in Delaware, and three casinos in Colorado.

Shares in Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc (NSQ:TRWH) closed 0.19 per cent higher at $26.27 per share in New York Monday.