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Popular sportsbook operator DraftKings has launched its revamped horse racing product in Delaware, New Mexico, and Rhode Island. This expansion allows customers in these states to use the DraftKings Sportsbook app to place pari-mutuel bets, bringing the company’s horse race wagering footprint to 26 US states.
The evolution of DK Horse to DraftKings Racing
DraftKings has rebranded its offering as DraftKings Racing, a move that signals the retirement of the standalone DK Horse app. Previously, DK Horse operated as a white-label affiliate through a 2023 partnership with TwinSpires, a subsidiary of Churchill Downs. While that system allowed for pari-mutuel wagering, it required users to maintain separate apps and separate deposits.
The new integrated platform eliminates these hurdles. Within the main sportsbook app, customers can now view race cards, odds, and pools, and place win, place, show, and exotic wagers. A “single wallet” system ensures all funds for horse racing are drawn from and deposited into the same account used for sportsbook wagers.
While DK Horse is being phased out, it will remain active in certain states—including Arizona, California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida—until the integration is complete in those markets. DraftKings confirmed that all states currently active on the DK Horse app will eventually migrate to the integrated product. Those states include: AZ, CA, CO, FL, LA, ME, MA, NY, IL, IN, IA, KY, OH, OR, PA, MN, MT, NH, VA, WA, WV, and WY.
DraftKings Racing debuts ahead of 2026 Kentucky Derby
The launch is strategically timed for the 2026 Triple Crown season, which begins with the Kentucky Derby on May 2, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
Johnny Avello, DraftKings director of race and sports operations, noted that the timing aligns with the peak of public interest in racing. “Having our horse racing offering integrated with our main sportsbook app gives our customers the ease and simplicity they have come to expect,” Avello said in a DraftKings press release, adding that the platform offers seamless access alongside betting for the NFL and other major sports.
The entry into Rhode Island is particularly significant due to the state’s current sports betting monopoly held by International Game Technology (IGT). That deal expires in November 2026, and the Rhode Island Lottery is already studying the feasibility of a multi-operator market. Eight companies responded to the state’s recent RFI: Bally’s, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, IGT, Kambi, and OpenBet.
By launching racing now—which operates under a different regulatory framework than traditional sports betting—DraftKings establishes a presence in the state without needing a standard sports betting license.
A single ecosystem for sports, casino, and racing
This integration is the latest step in DraftKings’ effort to consolidate its services into a single ecosystem. The company recently debuted the DraftKings Sports & Casino app, which houses the sportsbook, online casino games, state lotteries through Jackpocket, and DraftKings Predictions.
While the company has not provided a specific final deadline for the retirement of the DK Horse app, it maintains that the transition will continue state-by-state. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) will remain the only DraftKings product to exist as a standalone application.
Residents of Delaware, New Mexico, and Rhode Island do not need to download new software to access the racing platform; they can simply use their existing DraftKings Sportsbook credentials for account verification under current racing regulations.
