DRF's sports data website is shutting down on April 30, but its sportsbook is continuing operations, a spokesperson confirmed with Covers.
"DRF Sports will permanently shut down on Tuesday, April 30th, 2024," reads a note on DRF's website.
"For our DRF Sports Pro members with active annual subscriptions expiring after April 30th, 2024, you will be eligible for a pro-rated refund. These refunds will be issued via check."
The company's customer service team will reach out to those customers via email to obtain mailing addresses.
DRF is mostly known in the horse racing industry as a provider of “the most extensive data coverage in horse racing, interactive past performances, proprietary handicapping and analytics tools, expert picks,” etc.
In June 2021, Affinity Gaming announced a merger with Sports Information Group, which operated the sports betting license and noted the potential growth.
“The combined company will reach nearly one million customers across the U.S. alone and leverage the iconic DRF brand as it capitalizes on the continued momentum in sports betting and iGaming globally.”
DRF Sportsbook’s tough road in Iowa
In March, DRF reported $746,000 in Iowa sports betting handle. Of the 17 live operators in the state, DRF was 13th. To paint a clearer picture, DraftKings lead the pack with $98.8 million.
During this year, DRF was unable to exceed $1 million in wagers in a month and did not see more than $70,000 in revenue.
But despite Iowa’s smaller population than the other sports betting states, other operators still see the Hawkeye State for expansion, Tipico Sportsbook and bet365 both entered the Iowa market in 2023. Tipico’s handle is in line with DRF, while bet365 is much more popular despite their later entrance.
On the retail side, DRF is connected to the Lakeside Casino, which did not accept any bets since November, missing the NFL playoffs, Super Bowl, and March Madness. In their last month of action, the casino brought in $145,000, which was 14th best of the 19 casinos.
(This story has been updated with clarified information on DRF Sports and DRF Sportsbook.)
