Delta Airlines announced at this week's Consumer Electronics Show that it has an as of yet undefined partnership with DraftKings. As with many of these types of announcements at flashy industry expos, the deal was light on details and heavy on speculation.
There’s a decent chance this affiliation doesn’t go beyond the announcement by Delta CEO Ed Bastian at the Las Vegas Sphere. Here’s what we do know – and the tongue-in-cheek possibilities of a partnership between one of the nation’s largest airlines and online gambling operators.
Full announcement
Speaking in Las Vegas, Bastian spent about a minute in a roughly 90-minute presentation talking about Delta and DraftKings:
“From fantasy sports to online adventures gaming has become a regular part of the daily lives for millions of our customers and you shouldn’t have to hit pause just because you’re in the skies. Our partnership with DraftKings will build on the games portfolio that we already offer today via Delta Sync and our seatback screens while using the deep expertise (DraftKings CEO) Jason (Robins) and his team have developed over the past decade.”
Robins was in attendance. He was using his phone when Bastian mentioned him, to which the Delta CEO joked with Robins to put down his phone because “fantasy football season is over.”
What will happen?
Logistically, this probably means nothing more than some more games on the Delta seatback screens with DraftKings logos. Delta already offers free-to-play blackjack and other casino games.
ICYMI: DraftKings and Delta announced a partnership that will include DraftKings-powered gaming options on the back of Delta seatback screens; further details have not been released, but federal law prohibits real money sports betting while in the air
— Ryan Butler (@ButlerBets) January 9, 2025
This could, potentially, mean free-to-play “prediction” games for sports. Players could engage in a way to pick which team will win or the over or under their points totals. There’s no telling what type of rewards system (coins, points, etc.) would be in place, if any.
The two companies could also create some sort of reciprocity between their respective rewards programs. Customers, for example, could earn Delta SkyMiles for signing up for a DraftKings account.
Will there be real-money gambling on the plane?
No. There’s no legal way to do real-money sports betting or online casino gambling on plane. Federal law restricts such offerings, plus it goes against state laws. Federal law could change to allow this, but there’s no political momentum for such an alteration.
What could happen?
Though there isn’t any avenue for actual gambling with the partnership, it opens up some interesting hypotheticals.
- Announcement for line shifts: “This is your captain speaking. We’ve reached our cruising altitude of 36,000 feet. Light winds coming in from the Northeast. Also, if you look on your DraftKings app, the line has shifted to Steelers -6.6 in today’s game.
- A chance to wager Delta SkyMiles: Sick of betting with real cash? Now use your frequent flyer miles!
- Gambling seat upgrades: If you hit the slot jackpot you can move up to first class.
- Betting on the flight itself: Odds on claps when the plane lands: Yes -200, No +150
