FanDuel and four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski are teaming up once again, bringing an innovative twist to online casino gaming. This partnership aims to enhance player engagement and create a unique gaming experience.
On May 16, FanDuel Casino announced that Rob Gronkowski will host a Live Dealer Roulette Table from a live studio, interacting with players from New Jersey. This event marks Gronk as the first celebrity to engage with iGaming players directly from a live dealer studio, providing real-time commentary and interaction.
This live dealer experience builds on previous successful collaborations between FanDuel and Gronkowski. Earlier this year, FanDuel Casino introduced Gronk’s Touchdown Treasures, an exclusive slot game developed in partnership with Evolution Games. The game offers a user-friendly experience tailored for both seasoned slot players and football fans.
In February, FanDuel and Gronkowski also rebooted the popular Kick of Destiny campaign. This initiative allowed FanDuel Sportsbook users to predict whether Gronk would make a field goal during a Super Bowl LVIII commercial. Despite Gronk missing the 25-yard attempt for the second consecutive year, participants who correctly predicted the outcome shared a $10 million bonus bet pool.
FanDuel’s Strategic Investments in the Casino Sector
FanDuel has been actively investing in its casino business throughout 2024. In January, the company secured an exclusive partnership with social media personality Vegas Matt to produce educational content about casino games and promote responsible gaming.
FanDuel Casino is currently operational in five of America’s seven regulated iGaming markets, including New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The US iGaming industry is experiencing significant growth, with March 2024 gross gaming revenue reaching $715 million. Projections suggest the industry will exceed $8 billion in total revenue for the year.
FanDuel’s success is a major driver of this market growth. The company has established itself as the leader in Michigan’s online casino market, significantly expanding its share in other states. From March 2023 to March 2024, FanDuel-operated casino sites increased their monthly revenue by $70 million, contributing to nearly half of the total annual growth for the US iGaming market.
Market Leadership and Growth
FanDuel’s rise to market leadership in Michigan is notable, having overtaken BetMGM in March 2024. This achievement marks the first time BetMGM has been displaced as the market leader since the state’s iGaming market launched. In August 2021, BetMGM held over 40% of the market share while FanDuel had less than 15%. Now, FanDuel holds a 26.8% share compared to BetMGM’s 25.4%, with DraftKings at 18.8%.
FanDuel’s growth trajectory in Michigan has been impressive, averaging nearly 60% annual growth since late 2022. In Pennsylvania, the company’s growth rate is even higher, averaging 70% annually and increasing its market share from around 20% to 28%. Although the licensing structure makes precise market share calculations difficult, FanDuel is likely the market leader.
Competitive Dynamics in Connecticut
A new competition for market leadership has emerged in Connecticut between DraftKings and Mohegan Sun Online Casino, which uses FanDuel’s technology. Historically, DraftKings commanded 55% to 60% of the market. However, in March, its market share dropped from 58.6% to 51.3%.
DraftKings has been adjusting its promotional spending to maintain its market position, but Mohegan Sun has been increasing its spending to capitalize on these shifts. The coming months will reveal whether this change is temporary or indicative of a longer-term trend.
FanDuel and Gronkowski’s latest collaboration, coupled with strategic investments and market expansion, highlight FanDuel’s commitment to leading the iGaming industry and setting new standards for player engagement and innovation.
