Delta-DraftKings Partnership Won’t Exactly Bring Gambling To 30,000 Feet
Some of the details were released by Delta this week, and they definitely do not include gambling
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Tongues — and rudders — were wagging last month when the CEO of Delta dropped news during CES 2025 that the airline was teaming up with DraftKings.
With what, it was not clear.
Well, there is some clarity now, a little less than a month later.
The first bit of clarity? It’s not a completely finalized situation.
“Delta is exploring a first-of-its-kind collaboration with DraftKings, a leading digital sports entertainment gaming and technology company — which we expect to come soon to Delta Sync Wi-Fi,” reads part of an article on the Delta News hub.
Explaining further, the piece states the “potential collaboration contemplates that eligible SkyMiles Members can access free gaming as an additional offering on Delta Sync Wi-Fi available through SkyMiles Members’ personal electronic devices. The Delta Sync experience does not include gaming of any kind using real money or miles.”
In other words: No one will be betting the Eagles and the points above Wichita, nor will anyone be getting paid 3:2 on a blackjack above Boston.
Sell the sizzle
It would appear DraftKings would provide Delta SkyMiles members with a way to play non-cash games on the iPads and the like while flying to and fro.
This news is a far cry from what Ed Bastion, the CEO of Delta, teased in January at CES 2025.
“From fantasy sports to online adventures, gaming has become a regular part of the daily lives of millions of our customers, and you shouldn’t have to hit pause just because you’re in the sky,” he said. “Our partnership with DraftKings will build on the games portfolio we already offer today via Delta Sync and our seatback screens while using the deep expertise that Jason [Robins, DraftKings co-founder and CEO] and his team have developed over the past decade.”
While people might not have to “hit pause” on their gaming adventures, it would certainly appear they’d have to hit “pause” on their actual gambling while flying Delta.
“Delta is constantly listening to our customers and evolving to meet their needs,” Julieta McCurry, VP of In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity, said in the news hub item. “We know they want an in-flight experience similar to what they have at home, including more ways to engage and stay entertained — which is why we’re excited to continue scaling Delta Sync products and bring even more to the experience soon, including expected collaborations with brands like YouTube and DraftKings.”
Of course, gambling on airplanes remains illegal in America, though one Connecticut legislator has introduced a bill that would make it legal on flights originating or landing in the state.
