Imagining a future of betting on cyberathlete sports

DraftKings co-founder and CEO, Jason Robins would not be surprised if 30 years from now, “sports get created with cyberathletes and there is betting and gaming on that”

Taking to the stage at G2E in Vegas this week, he sat down with Emmy-winning sports reporter Rachel Nichols to explore the future of the gaming industry and what drives success in the market. SiGMA News was present to capture the highlights of their conversation.

As the gaming industry experiences unprecedented growth, Robins shared a vision that leans heavily on technological advancements and customer-centric strategies. One prominent theme was the integration of AI to enhance user experiences. Robins imagines a future where AI facilitates personalised, interactive experiences, much like a “chat GPT” interaction, allowing users to discover and engage in ways previously unimaginable.

Future of cyberathletes and multisensory gaming

Looking ahead to 2054, Robins speculated on the industry’s trajectory, emphasising the unpredictable nature of technology’s influence. Whether through betting on cyberathletes or expanding into multisensory gaming experiences, the industry’s evolution will hinge on harnessing technology in innovative ways. This adaptability is crucial, given how drastically the landscape has shifted over the past three decades.

DraftKings’ expansion reflects this adaptive mindset. A notable example is the recent acquisition of Jackpocket for $750 million, aimed at broadening its offerings to include lottery services—a move driven by customer demand. The integration of accountable, omnichannel experiences that seamlessly blend online and offline interactions stands as a testament to DraftKings’ commitment to meeting user needs wherever they choose to engage.

Growing popularity of women’s sports

Robins also shared insights into the surprising surge in interest in women’s sports, particularly the WNBA, which has become one of DraftKings’ fastest-growing segments. “It has a ton of growth ahead of it and it is something that we want to be a part of. That’s going to be, really for us something that we want to invest in and be a part of. I look at who’s betting o the WNBA and it is not just women bettors, everyone is betting on it. I think that’s a trend that’s just going to continue. I hear it, people are watching it more, people are betting on it more, engaging with it more.”

Crucially, DraftKings places a high priority on responsible gaming, embedding protective measures throughout its operations. Robins detailed the multilayered approach that DraftKings uses to safeguard customers, from offering self-service tools to deploying advanced behaviour-detection models. This, coupled with a robust player protection team, underscores DraftKings’ dedication to ensuring a safe and responsible gaming environment, a principle that resonates strongly with regulatory bodies and users alike.

When reflecting on his success as the CEO and a co-founder of a major online sports betting company, Robins credited hard work over luck. He emphasised the role of an innovative, customer-focused culture as the driving force. DraftKings maintains an entrepreneurial spirit, continuously seeking to improve and adapt—traits that have helped it remain at the forefront of the industry.

The conversation concluded with a nod to the future, where the lines between offline and online gaming experiences will continue to blur, which has been a constant thread throughout the G2E event this year. Robins is optimistic about the industry’s potential to deliver seamless omnichannel experiences, a journey that DraftKings is keen to lead as technology and market dynamics evolve.

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