DraftKings Issues Apology for Sports Betting Promotion Invoking 9/11

DraftKings, a sports betting company, issued an apology after facing backlash for using the September 11, 2001, terror attacks to entice people to place bets on baseball and football games on the anniversary of the tragedy. The promotion required three New York-based teams – the Yankees, Mets, and Jets – to win their games on September 11th. However, the company received criticism on social media for the insensitivity of the promotion.

After the outcry, DraftKings removed the promotion and released a statement apologizing for its actions. The company acknowledged the significance of the day and expressed respect for the families of the victims who were directly affected by the attacks. Bret Eagleson, whose father was killed in the World Trade Center, criticized DraftKings for using the national tragedy for business promotion, calling it “tone-deaf.”

DraftKings did not disclose the number of bets placed as a result of the promotion or whether those bets would be canceled. The company is one of the leading providers of legal sports betting in the United States, which has grown significantly since it was cleared by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. Offering preselected groupings, known as parlays, for gamblers is an important aspect of sports wagering and can be highly profitable for sportsbooks.