DraftKings enters Washington betting market with Tulalip deal

DraftKings Sportsbook is the latest operator to secure retail sports betting agreement with a Washington State gaming tribe.

The company announced on Wednesday that it had inked a deal that would allow it to introduce its premium sports betting product to bettors in the Evergreen State through a partnership with the Tulalip Tribes of Washington. The exclusive agreement sets the stage for DraftKings to operate retail sportsbooks at the two casinos owned by the Tribes – Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Creek Casino. Both facilities are located in Tulalip, just 30 minutes north of Seattle.

According to the partners, the 5000sq physical sportsbook at Tulalip Resort Casino will feature a 50-foot video wall, eight live ticket windows, and more than 24 self-service betting kiosks. However, the entities did not reveal details of the sportsbook at Quil Ceda Creek Casinos since its design is still in the early phase of planning. Both sportsbooks will bear the DraftKings brand.

The agreement is subject to licensure and regulatory approval.

DraftKings continues to expand US footprint

DraftKings is one of the leading sports betting operators in the regulated United States market with a retail and online presence in 18 states currently.

The market access agreement with the Tulalip Tribes of Washington paves the way for DraftKings to extend its footprint in the Pacific Northwest, following its launch in neighboring Oregon earlier this week through an exclusive agreement with the state lottery.

In its statement about the deal, the Senior Director of Retail Sportsbooks at DraftKings, Michael Kibort, said:

“Today marks an exciting day for DraftKings as we are set to expand our sports betting footprint to the great Pacific Northwest. In collaboration with the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, we look forward to bringing the very best in real money gaming experiences to a state with a passionate fanbase spanning major professional sports leagues.”

Washington State is set to be the 19th operational US market for the DraftKings sportsbook.

Teaming up with the best in sports betting

The Tulalip Tribes also commented on the exclusive sports betting agreement with DraftKings, saying that its newly found sportsbook partner is the best in the book-making business.

“As we get ready to open our sportsbooks, we are excited to announce our exclusive partnership with the best in the business,” stated the Chairwoman of the Tulalip Tribes, Teri Gobin.

“We’re ready to take our gaming experience to the next level. Like Tulalip, DraftKings is committed to excellence and, together, we’re going to give sports fans a one-of-a-kind experience. We can’t wait for our customers to share our journey as we build the newest addition to our entertainment destinations.”

The Tulalip Tribes was one of the 16 tribes that amended their gaming compacts with the Washington State government last year, allowing them to add sports betting to their offering. Four of the tribes rolled out operations before the end of the year, but the rest are yet to find sportsbook partners or start accepting wagers.

The four tribes currently offering legal sports wagering are Puyallup Tribe (BetMGM), Snoqualmie Tribe (IGT), Stillaguamish Tribe (IGT), and the Kalispel Indian Tribe (IGT). In addition to the four, the Suquamish tribe also announced a retail betting partnership with FanDuel last year, but the two are yet to commence operations.