Wow!
The DraftKings Sportsbook at del Lago Resorts & Casino in Waterloo, New York opened up today with the unveiling of an amazing 6,000 square foot lounge, sporting 1,000+ square feet of video screens along with 16 TVs for a very fulfilling sportsbook experience. The space can hold 200-plus people and overall is something I thought we would never see in Upstate New York. I’m thrilled to be proven wrong.
DraftKings has long been the gold standard in daily fantasy sports and that’s apparent as they continue to transition into the sports betting arena. The technology displayed on the live scrolling betting menus and video displays are top-notch as expected from the DraftKings and del Lago teams, as they both strive to offer best-in-class experiences.
First Impressions of DraftKings Sportsbook in New York
DraftKings Sportsbook at @delLagoResort is a 6,000 square-foot space, featuring more than 1,000 square feet of LED video screens. pic.twitter.com/yMAL10pv2V
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) August 23, 2019
There’s plenty of ticket windows in addition to 23 betting kiosks that allow you to easily navigate the betting board to find nearly any wager you may want to make. If you download the DraftKings sportsbook app, you can view all the odds currently being offered at any time and they should mirror what the sportsbook is offering.Â
There’s another feature called “Bring Your Own Device” that creates a scannable QR code. If you scan the code, it will bring your device to a mobile platform that allows you to build or pre-make bets on your phone. Then, bring your phone to the counter and they can scan it as you now have your bet pre-loaded. It’s a slick interface and a convenient feature so there’s no confusion or delay when you get to the ticket window.
Former Syracuse University quarterback and six-time NFL Pro-Bowler Donovan McNabb was on hand to welcome sports betting to the Finger Lakes region. McNabb participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony and made the first bet at del Lago: Eagles to win Super Bowl LIV in Miami.
He makes the first bet taking @Eagles to win the Superbowl pic.twitter.com/OVStQMLC0C
— Brit Devine (@brit_devine) August 23, 2019
Previously, DraftKings cut ribbons in 2018 at DK-branded brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in Atlantic City, New Jersey at Resorts Casino and also at the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville, Mississippi, home of the first-ever retail DK sportsbook.
For the time being, mobile sports betting is not legal in New York, a topic of much debate in the state legislature. Hopefully they get that done next year like neighbors New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and quickly roll out the mobile sportsbook for people across the state. Also, a quick reminder that New York regulations prohibit bets on collegiate sporting events based in New York (so no Syracuse football bets!), or bets like NFL MVP that are determined by voters and not based on a specific sporting event.Â
For now, if you’re upstate in New York are looking for a way to get some skin in the game, you won’t be disappointed with your experience here. It’s first class all the way at del Lago and what I’ve come to expect from DraftKings as a company in my 5+ years in the daily fantasy business. Time to go make some bets!
But first:
And now for the real reason I am here
Bring on the food! pic.twitter.com/o54lcgvB12
— Brit Devine (@brit_devine) August 23, 2019
