The US daily fantasy sports contest and sports betting company has made the decision to withdraw its daily fantasy sports (DFS) offering from four big markets on the European continent. The list includes Malta, Germany, Ireland, and Austria, where the company’s DFS operations will be officially shut down starting January 22. 

Customers Will Not Be Able to Operate Their Accounts After January 22

DraftKings, which enables users to participate in daily and weekly fantasy sports–related contests and win money has sent an email to the company’s customers, putting them up-to-date with the fresh news. The email explained that DraftKings will stop providing its daily fantasy sports contests to customers in the four countries. The company launched in Germany, Austria, Malta, and Ireland six years ago, in 2017, and has “been proud to be a part of those countries’ passionate sports and daily fantasy sports fanbases”, according to the same informative email. 

Customers were also informed that their “Contest Tickets”, “Crowns”, and “DK Dollars” that they had been using as currency within the DFS games would be turned into USD on January 18 when withdrawals would be initiated. The transactions would also be subject to the conversion rate on the respective date.

From 22 January onwards, DraftKings’ customers in the aforementioned four countries will no longer be able to deposit or withdraw from their DFS accounts. DraftKings has, therefore, encouraged its customers in the four targeted European countries to ask for their withdrawals as soon as possible.

DraftKings to Hand Over Remaining Funds from DFS Accounts to the MGA 

Starting January 23, the company that “dutifully and soulfully” invests in people, technology, and processes and calls responsibility their cultural GPS, will hand over all remaining funds from all inactive DFS accounts to the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). The MGA has licensed the company’s business on the continent.

As one of the company’s flagship product areas, DFS first started out in the form of a fantasy sports-oriented provider in 2012, prior to reaching the sports betting vertical six years later as a result of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act’s (PASPA) repeal. PASPA is a federal law from 1992 that imposed restrictions on all but a small number of US states in regard to the legalization of sports betting.

Last May, DraftKings made its way into the Canadian market by scoring Ontario’s 12th gambling operator license. During the same month, the company announced a multi-market agreement with High 5 Games in an attempt to improve its presence in Michigan. 

Last summer, DraftKings participated in and promoted the National Conference on Gambling Addiction and Responsible Gambling, while also sponsoring the event. 

Exactly one year ago, Liverpool and Chelsea were in the Top 3 in the Premier League. Ahead of their duel on Saturday, January 21, the two are occupying the #9 and #10 position, respectively.

It’s fair to say that neither team can be proud of their recent performances, but the fact is that both teams do have the manpower necessary to bounce back. And we’re certain both will return to the winning track very soon; but which team will do it first?

Liverpool vs Chelsea Odds

*Odds taken from FanDuel on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England
• Date: Saturday, January 21, 2023
• Time: 7:30 AM ET
• How to Watch: Universo & USA Network

Liverpool Need to Patch the Holes in their Defense

The Red have played two Premier League games so far in 2023, and they lost each time. First, the Brentford Bees strung them 3-1 in London; then, the Seagulls pecked them apart 3-0 in Brighton.

The Lottery has issued a request for proposal (RFP), opening the doors for several high-profile operators to compete for the coveted position. This decision can significantly impact players in the state, especially considering that the Lottery is also considering introducing online sports betting. The process should complete by late spring after an intense round of presentations and negotiations.

Only Three Operators Match the Requirements

iGaming in Delaware has been under the sole management of 888 since the operator first signed its exclusive contract with the state Lottery in 2013. The agreement received several extensions, cementing 888’s position as Delaware’s de-facto gaming operator. However, the Lottery’s recent decision to open the doors for new bidders may end the UK-based company’s sole reign.

Despite the Lottery’s willingness to reach out to new partners, the RFP criteria are exceedingly strict, limiting potential choices to several high-profile operators. The extensive list of requirements limits potential applicants to those who already maintain a presence in the USA and can offer a wide range of products. If we consider online poker a must, that leaves only 888, BetMGM, and PokerStars.

888 Will Be Hard-Pressed to Maintain Its Position

The RPF states that the process should finalize by the end of spring. Applicants can submit any written questions by 3 February and must enter their submissions by 17 February. 1 March to 15 March is reserved for talks with vendors, and negotiations with selected partners will begin on 24 March.

The wording of the requirements is a cause of worry for 888, as they imply an operator with online sports betting experience would have an advantage- a field the UK company lags behind compared to some of its competitors. 888 US President Howard Mittman discussed the matter with online news portal pokerfuse, expressing hope that the operator’s previous track record would help it to pull ahead of the competition.

(888) has enjoyed a long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship with the state of Delaware, and we look forward to the continued opportunity to work with the state.

Howard Mittman, 888 US president

888’s position in Delaware has gone from a virtually undisputed monopoly to highly uncertain in just a few weeks. While the operator’s significant experience in the state may prove sufficient to win it another five years, it will have to fight tooth and nail with some of the industry’s most high-profile players.

Losing the exclusive contract will be a significant blow to the UK gambling giant, whose stocks have already suffered after its disappointing Q4 financial results. The company is very much in need of good news, and securing its position in a highly profitable market can be just the boost it needs to alleviate any rising concerns. However, 888 will have to prove its mettle during the coming exciting months.

The fine was announced Wednesday and sees TonyBet, which operates tonybet.co.uk, receive a £442,750 ($547,300) financial penalty from the gambling regulator. In addition to the financial penalty that the operator would need to pay, the Commission issued a warning.

Gambling Commission Uncovers AML Deficiencies

The gambling watchdog pointed out that TonyBet did not conduct an adequate risk assessment of its business and failed to determine the risks of it being exploited by criminal activities such as money laundering and terrorist financing. What’s more, it said that the operator did not establish necessary procedures, policies and controls against terrorist financing and money laundering. Those deficiencies were in breach of the AML regulations, according to the Commission.

Kay Roberts, the Commission’s executive director of operations, said that the latest regulatory action reaffirms the regulator’s commitment to enforcing regulation against operators breaching social responsibility and AML rules. At the same time, Roberts said that the action confirms that the Commission is prepared to take action against operators offering unfair or non-transparent services to their clients.

“Not only does this case illustrate our drive to clamp down on anti-money laundering and social responsibility failures, but also highlights action we will take against gambling businesses who fail to be fair and open with customers.“

Kay Roberts, executive director of operations at the Gambling Commission

The Probe Finds Social Responsibility Breaches, Unfair Conditions

Besides AML breaches, the Commission flagged social responsibility failures. According to the gambling watchdog, TonyBet failed to identify customers who may be at risk of gambling harm. Additionally, the Commission said the operator failed to “interact with customers who may be at risk of experiencing harms associated with gambling.”

Aside from the described breaches, the Commission uncovered unfair terms submitted via the operator’s website. An example pointed out by the regulator included that TonyBet “may request identification documents for ‘all withdrawals’ while not having insisted on those same checks earlier in the business relationship.” This, according to the gambling watchdog can cause difficulties with withdrawals but it doesn’t apply to deposits.

If customers failed to provide AML documents within 30 days, their winnings could be confiscated by the operator, which is another unfair term, according to the Commission. Finally, the regulator flagged an issue with accounts that are to be considered “dormant” after six months of inactivity, saying that this period should be 12 months instead.