If you’ve been living under a rock, let me inform you that DraftKings Sportsbook recently introduced its sports betting app in West Virginia.
Of course, New Jersey was the first state to introduce the DraftKings Sportsbook product, with West Virginia following suit as the second state.
We contacted the company to inquire about the outcome of the initial weekend of online sports betting in the Mountain State. Without a doubt, bettors in West Virginia had a fantastic weekend.
The first five days of betting on DraftKings
During the opening weekend of the WVU football season, more than 20,000 bets were made on DraftKings.
As expected, the WVU Mountaineers vs. James Madison game stole the spotlight at the sportsbook, drawing the highest level of interest. The DraftKings odds favored the Mountaineers by six points, and their triumphant seven-point win brought joy to numerous bettors from the state of West Virginia.
West Virginia’s love extends beyond just WVU. Approximately 61% of the total bet handle in the state is attributed to college football betting, with an average wager of around $25. DraftKings Sportsbook WV acknowledges that bettors had the advantage for three out of the initial five days.
Despite starting the week with limited information on online sports betting in West Virginia, the weekend turned out to be excellent overall.
Why it took so long for DraftKings to launch in WV
Shortly after the release of the DraftKings WV app, play-wv.com had a conversation with Dan Hannigan-Daley, the director of sportsbook product at the company. Our discussion revolved around the product’s delayed launch and its eventual release, as well as the future prospects for bettors.
DraftKings made multiple unsuccessful attempts, but finally managed to launch its online sportsbook in West Virginia, perfectly timed for the start of college football season, which is undeniably the most beloved sport in the region.
Earlier, it was reported that the delay was necessary in order to meet the West Virginia Lottery’s requirements and ensure compliance with the Wire Act.
In order to ensure that all betting data remained within the state of West Virginia, DraftKings deemed it crucial to launch with the identical app used in New Jersey. Consequently, the company dedicated efforts to constructing the necessary infrastructure.
Although it took time to construct the infrastructure, Hannigan-Daley emphasized its utmost importance in the grand scheme of things.
Ensuring a consistent user experience across different jurisdictions is of utmost importance to us. We strive to deliver a seamless experience to our users regardless of the location in which we operate.
The consistent experience implies that the regulations and limitations in New Jersey will likely apply to other states as DraftKings expands nationwide, at least temporarily.
What is missing at DraftKings Sportsbook WV
At present, the laws in New Jersey prohibit WV bettors from placing bets on college teams from that state. However, Hannigan-Daley expressed that although this restriction will eventually be lifted, the primary focus at the moment is to successfully launch the product.
“We initially aimed to introduce our product online, and we didn’t anticipate encountering significant obstacles with regard to betting on New Jersey schools. However, I believe that by the midpoint of the season, it will likely be possible to wager on teams that are legally permissible in your jurisdiction.”
DraftKings Betting Pools, a missing feature, offers players the opportunity to engage in fixed-price betting contests, where they compete against the bets placed by other players.
Betting pools are highly sought after, specifically among novice bettors. Expect the introduction of betting pools in the near future.
Next level live betting at DraftKings
Hannigan-Daley brought to our notice a recently introduced feature known as Flash Bet.
Flash Bet is the ultimate choice for adrenaline seekers. Embedded within the DraftKings Sportsbook app, it offers a thrilling and rapid live betting experience. Enabling players to place bets in real-time throughout the game on a diverse range of betting options.
When Wimbledon was first introduced, Flash Bet made its debut. During this launch, Jordan Mendell, the Senior Vice President of Product Research and Development, shared their thoughts on the innovative addition.
Today, live wagering is incredibly popular and plays a vital role in enhancing the customer experience and engagement. Our dedication to bringing our customers as close as possible to Wimbledon this year is unmatched, as we strive to provide them with a glimpse of the exciting future innovations that await.
At present, Flash Bet can be accessed by:
- Tennis
- Soccer
- MLB
Flash Bet will be introduced for NFL drive-by-drive betting during either the second or third week of the NFL season. For additional information, refer to our comprehensive guide on NFL Betting in WV.
What about a DraftKings loyalty program?
Players can look forward to a DraftKings loyalty program that is currently being developed. This program is expected to be an expansion of the existing loyalty program offered in the daily fantasy sports product.
DraftKings desires to provide a unified user experience by seamlessly integrating DFS into their Sportsbook product.
The integration of Halligan-Daley does not have a specific timeframe, but it is highlighted as a crucial component of the master plan.
“We envision a unified product that enables us to seamlessly integrate cross-product loyalty programs, promotions, and various other captivating features. While some competitors have chosen to launch separate applications for different functionalities, we firmly believe in offering our customers a comprehensive and cohesive experience within a single platform.”
DraftKings WV just the beginning
Currently, DraftKings acknowledges the presence of certain distinctions within the app. The primary disparity is the absence of an online casino feature in the WV app. However, once this becomes available in West Virginia, the company will certainly strive to incorporate it into their platform.
In addition to its dedication to delivering the finest user experience available, the company actively listens to its customers.
Halligan-Daily reported that they have released a total of twenty-seven apps over the course of the past year, averaging approximately one release every two weeks. It is worth noting that a significant number of these app releases incorporated suggestions and input from the community.
“We are thrilled to have launched in West Virginia, and we are optimistic about expanding to additional states as the NFL season unfolds. This is a thrilling period for our involvement in the sports betting industry.”
Indeed it is.
FanDuel Sportsbook WV, a rival of DraftKings in the DFS and sports betting market, recently made its debut. Although West Virginia currently only has two online sportsbooks, there is a possibility of 13 additional ones in the near future. One company we are particularly watching out for is William Hill, as they may announce the launch of their online sportsbook soon.
Related Articles
