Inside Gaming: DraftKings Opens NFL Fantasy Lounges, Poker Asia Pacific Sold & More
This week’s Inside Gaming we take a look at DraftKings' big plans headed into the NFL season, the sale of Poker Asia Pacific, and an expansion coming to the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. Read on for all the details.
DraftKings to Open Fantasy Lounges at Three NFL Stadiums
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) juggernaut DraftKings continues to shake up the sports world. With just two weeks until the start of the NFL season, the site has expanded its partnerships with three teams — the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs.
DraftKings will be opening branded fantasy sports lounges in each of the three teams' home stadiums — AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys), Gillette Stadium (New England Patriots) and Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs).
"What better way to kick off football season than by partnering with the most recognizable, storied franchises in the league to create our newest fantasy lounges," said Jason Robins, CEO and co-founder of DraftKings. "Our lounges will give Patriots, Cowboys and Chiefs fans enhanced game-day experiences that will bring them closer to the action. We look forward to providing even more exclusive once-in-a-lifetime experiences for DraftKings users through these partnerships."
According to a press release, the DraftKings Fantasy Sports Lounge at AT&T Stadium will be located at field-level near the opposing team's gateway.
"DraftKings and the Cowboys share the same passion for football, sports and business, making this a natural partnership," said Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President/Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Jerry Jones, Jr. "The daily segment of fantasy sports is exploding, with more fans joining every day. DraftKings has established itself as the pre-eminent service in daily fantasy sports. Their commitment to providing its customers with the best experience possible is unrivaled, which should be a tremendous benefit to our fans as they experience all DraftKings has to offer at the new fantasy lounge."
Meanwhile, at Gillette Stadium, the DraftKings Fantasy Sports Zone will be located on the main concourse in the south end zone.
"We love partnering with New England-based companies and are proud to be one of the first to pledge our support of DraftKings, a Boston-based startup that has quickly become a leader in the daily fantasy sports industry,” said Murray Kohl, Patriots Vice President of Corporate Sponsorship Sales. “DraftKings is unrivaled in their ability to create games that complement the experience of a live game. Creating a specially-branded space at our stadium showcases our belief in the viability and longevity of daily fantasy sports. There is tremendous potential for collaboration, both now and in the future."
Finally, the DraftKings Fantasy Sports Penthouse at Arrowhead Stadium, which is located on the press level of the stadium, will give fans the chance to win access through DraftKings contests throughout the season.
"DraftKings and the Chiefs both have a vision for providing the best in engagement, entertainment and once-in-a-lifetime experiences for Kansas City fans," Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. "DraftKings has an intuitive sense of what sports fans want most, and we believe this partnership and their presentation of the DraftKings Fantasy Sports Penthouse furthers that mission in a meaningful way. Our partnership will create new opportunities to bring Chiefs fans closer to the team and players they love."
Meanwhile, DraftKings also announced a new brand and advertising campaign that will air Sundays on FOX. Three-time Academy Award nominated actor Edward Norton provided voiceovers for five of the ads.
Check out the first "Welcome to the Big Time" ad below:
Poker Asia Pacific Acquired By Plus Ev Pty Ltd
Poker Asia Pacific, a poker news site devoted to the Australian and Asia-Pacific region, has found a new home. The site's former parent company, 107 Media Pty. Ltd., has opted to sell the site and its assets to Plus EV Pty Ltd. – a company owned by World Series of Poker APAC bracelet winner Luke Brabin — for an undisclosed sum.
"We’re excited to announce we have reached an agreement with Luke Brabin and Plus EV Pty Ltd for the sale of Poker Asia Pacific," said 107 Media Pty Ltd Director Heath Chick. “Over the last four years we have developed PAP from scratch to become the #1 poker news portal in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. We’re proud of the relationships and following we have built in that time, but both myself, and business partner Joshua Bell, feel it’s the right time to now focus on other projects."
Brabin echoed those sentiments while elaborating on his future plans for Poker Asia Pacific.
"We’re excited to build upon Australia’s premier poker network with new features that include online satellites to local events with the lowest rake in the industry, live streaming of major Australian final tables and live betting," said Brabin. "I’m looking forward to using my experience in sports betting as a bookmaker and professional trader to also share value and knowledge throughout the PAP community."
The sale of Poker Asia Pacific will be become official on September 1st. For more information, click here.
$40 Million Expansion Planned for New York's Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino
The Seneca Nation of Indians have approved $40 million for a 28,500 square foot two-story expansion at their Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, which opened in downtown Buffalo two years ago.
"Eight years ago, the Seneca Nation invested in our Buffalo Creek Territory when little else was taking place around us to draw people to the Inner Harbor area of downtown Buffalo," said Seneca Nation President Maurice A. John, Sr. "An unprecedented wave of development, momentum, investment and growth followed. Today, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino is at the epicenter for excitement in Buffalo."
The expansion will result in 360 new slot machines, 10 table games, and a Western-themed indoor/outdoor steakhouse. In addition, banquet and meeting spaces will be added, as will a high-limit room, non-smoking area, and retail space.
Construction is expected to start in October and finish early in 2017.
For more information, visit buffalonews.com.
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