CHRB Approves ADW DK Bets to Operate in California

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/19/2023 - 11:00
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CHRB Approves ADW DK Bets to Operate in California
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Photo: Wally Skalij
The paddock at Del Mar

DK Horse, the ADW platform affiliated with fantasy and sports betting behemoth DraftKings, was approved to operate in California at a regular monthly meeting of the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) Oct. 19 in Sacramento, Calif. Audio of the meeting was streamed online and will be archived on the CHRB's website here.

DK Horse is a "white-label" brand operated by Churchill Downs Technology Initiatives, also known as TwinSpires Inc. The existing TwinSpires license was amended to include DK Horse as an affiliate. A similar approval was granted by the CHRB earlier this year for Caesars Racebook, a partner of NYRA Bets. 

DraftKings was represented by its director of race and sportsbook operations, the bookmaking legend Johnny Avello, while Thoroughbred Owners of California president and CEO Bill Nader addressed the Board on behalf of TwinSpires. 

In other news from the meeting:

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  • Racing dates for Del Mar's upcoming Fall Meet were officially approved. The season is set to run 13 days, from Nov. 10 to Dec. 3. Purses will be "reduced slightly," according to the track's executive vice president of racing and industry relations Tom Robbins, reflective of wagering trends in California and nationwide. "We are matching purses to what we believe will be the handle generation for the meet," Robbins said.
  • Del Mar will partner with the American Association of Equine Practitioners to host 100 students during training hours and at the races during the AAEP Annual Convention, Nov. 29-Dec. 3 in San Diego. The effort to expose more future veterinarians to racetrack life comes in response to a nationwide shortage of regulatory and private practice vets in horse racing.
  • The California Jockeys Welfare Corporation—a coalition of stakeholders responsible for securing jockeys' insurance at California tracks—has successfully leaned on ADW operators to cover their annual operating shortfall. The TOC's Nader commended FanDuel, NYRA Bets, TwinSpires, and Xpressbet for stepping up to fill the gap in a $1.3 million budget that will cover 60% of the insurance premium. Most of the budget is generated statutorily from unclaimed refunds on wagers placed on scratched horses at brick-and-mortar outlets. 
  • Board members were updated on safety initiatives, including Breeders' Cup safety protocols and the new partnership with InCompass Solutions to cross-check pre-work examinations.