Rocky Mountain Hi: DraftKings Introduces Temporary Retail Sportsbook In Colorado

Add another state with a DraftKings Sportsbook retail location.

In opening a temporary brick-and-mortar location July 10 at Mardi Gras Casino in Black Hawk, Colorado, DraftKings introduced its seventh retail sportsbook in a fifth state.

DraftKings now joins Betfred, which opened last month, as Colorado operators with physical sportsbooks.

This serves as the latest example of legal sports betting showing its ability to expand quickly and aggressively.

DraftKings opens up shop in Colorado

It already boasted an online betting app in the Centennial State, one of four that went live May 1, but DraftKings now claims a retail location.

As such, the operator now has brick-and-mortar locations in five states:

• New Jersey
• New York
• Iowa
• Mississippi
• Colorado

“As our partners at Mardi Gras Casino work to expand their current operations and location, we are thrilled to come together to provide the most exciting, real-time gaming opportunities as sports begin to make their return,” Ezra Kucharz, DraftKings’ chief business officer, said in a news release.

“DraftKings and Mardi Gras Casino are committed to providing a safe, immersive and entertaining gaming environment to ensure sports fans in Colorado have the most enjoyable experience possible.”

Permanent sportsbook under construction

DraftKings has wasted little time getting to work on its permanent location at Mardi Gras.

In fact, construction is already underway on a state-of-the-art sportsbook that expects to feature a large bar, an expansive wall of TVs and a VIP lounge area.

For now, the temporary spot includes eight self-service kiosks, a cashier’s window and several large TVs.

The timing of DraftKings’ retail debut in Colorado may appear unusual, with the coronavirus pandemic forcing closures and even reclosures of casinos nationwide.

However, with the NBA, NHL and MLB expecting to resume their respective seasons in the next few weeks — not to mention football resuming thereafter — the timing actually seems ideal.

As a DraftKings spokesperson told PlayColorado:

“We want to provide entertainment to sports fans in time for the return of major sports like NBA, MLB and NFL. As outlined in the [news] release, Mardi Gras is taking the proper precautions and safety measurements.”

Colorado casinos have reopened with precautions

In June, casinos began receiving the green light to return to operation, albeit under guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

DraftKings’ retail sportsbook will, obviously, adhere to those precautions, which include requiring face masks for all individuals on the premises, using handheld thermometers for temperature checks and mandating social distancing among guests.

On top of that, the area will undergo increased and extensive cleaning and disinfecting.

It remains a strange time in the world, but that has apparently not stopped DraftKings from maintaining business as usual — or as close to it as possible.

As a result, the rising legal sports betting power now has a retail gateway to the West.