Delta Air Lines has announced a collaboration with DraftKings, bringing a new gaming experience to passengers as part of the airline’s ongoing plans to improve in-flight entertainment. The deal, which was first hinted at by Delta CEO Ed Bastian last month, will allow SkyMiles members to access free games through Delta Sync Wi-Fi.
The partnership will introduce a range of free-to-play casino-style games, including an expansion of blackjack and other existing offerings, with DraftKings-branded options available on seatback screens. Delta has made it clear, however, that real-money betting is not part of the arrangement. The airline stated that it will not make “offerings available in violation of Federal, State or local laws.”
Speaking about the new deal, Bastian acknowledged the growing role of gaming in modern entertainment. “From fantasy sports to online adventures, gaming has become a regular part of the daily lives of millions of our customers, and you shouldn’t have to hit pause just because you’re in the skies,” he said.
“Our partnership with DraftKings will build on the games portfolio that we already offer today via Delta Sync and our seatback screens while using the deep expertise (DraftKings CEO) Jason (Robins) and his team have developed over the past decade.”
While the collaboration does not include real-money sports betting, the partnership between a major airline and a gaming company has fueled speculation about the future of in-flight wagering. Some industry analysts suggest that this could be the first step toward a broader push to legalize real-money gaming on flights, but such a move would require significant changes to federal law.
Currently, U.S. laws prohibit real-money gambling on commercial flights, though betting is allowed at airports in jurisdictions where gambling is legally permitted.
However, some lawmakers are seeking to change these restrictions. In January, Connecticut Representative Christopher Rosario introduced House Bill 6051, a measure aimed at authorizing and regulating in-flight sports betting for flights originating or landing in the state.
If passed, HB 6051 would require all in-flight sports betting to comply with Connecticut’s existing gambling regulations. The proposal maintains agreements with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, and the Mohegan Tribe of Indians, which already hold gaming compacts with the state.
Under the bill, 1% of revenue generated from in-flight sports betting would be allocated to both rural and urban public school districts. Despite Rosario’s push, the bill faces a challenging path forward. Legal experts and industry observers have pointed out that federal laws regulating air travel and gambling would need to be addressed before such a measure could take effect.
Meanwhile, the airline has also secured a deal with YouTube to provide ad-free content on most flights. Delta, which reported $61.6 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2024, has not yet provided an official launch date for the DraftKings gaming features on domestic and international flights.
