DraftKings is "preparing to launch a PR push aimed at drumming up support" for legalizing sports betting in Massachusetts before state lawmakers return in January, according to Jordan Graham of the BOSTON HERALD. The Boston company has "already started a social media campaign, tied to the World Series and high-profile Patriots games." The campaign is "targeted at Massachusetts residents," and uses tweets, ads and emails that include examples of bets users have placed in New Jersey with a "simple message: This is exactly what you're missing out on." DraftKings also expects to "ramp up its lobbying and legislative efforts in the coming months." This summer, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said that his office "met with representatives of a number of major sports leagues about wagering," and that the legislature "should take up the issue in January." Sports betting would "have to be legalized through the legislature, where top lawmakers" in the Massachusetts House and Senate have "expressed interest in taking up the issue." The goal from operators such as DraftKings is "expected to be to get the industry up and running" by September '19 ahead of the NFL season (BOSTON HERALD, 11/5).
BEGINNERS' LUCK? In Philadelphia, Andrew Maykuth notes an early takeaway from New Jersey's sports betting is "how quickly the two major players in fantasy sports betting -- FanDuel and DraftKings -- have moved into conventional bookmaking and captured a significant market share." FanDuel "operates the sportsbook" at the Meadowlands Racetrack, which reported $7.3M in sports-betting revenue in September, 30% of the statewide total, including $2.9M in internet revenue. DraftKings and BetStarsNJ.com together generated revenue of $8.5M in September, 35% of the "statewide total, under the license granted to Resorts Digital." Neither FanDuel nor DraftKings had "previously operated a conventional sportsbook" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 11/5).
