DraftKings to delay UK launch?

Despite being granted a UK Gambling Commission licence, daily fantasy sports operator DraftKings will not launch in the UK as planned this month, and has postponed the initiative to an unspecified date early in 2016.

A company spokesperson was unable to provide Bloomberg business news with an explanation for the delayed launch, which observers have speculated is the result of the extensive US media, legal and enforcement interest in the legality of the vertical and whether it should be banned or regulated.

It is known that the company faces high legal and lobbying costs as it seeks to secure its business future in such an environment, where deposits have started to show signs of shrinkage.

The US furore has undoubtedly also had a distracting effect on the company’s management and a possible dampening of investor enthusiasm.