A new in-flight offering from a major US airline is drawing attention and criticism. According to the report, the gambling site DraftKings is now teaming up with Delta Airlines for a new form of in-flight entertainment, but the move is not sitting well with critics. The partnership brings a sports-focused feature to passengers once they are on board.
The report laid out what the feature actually is. According to the report, Delta has rolled out a partnership with DraftKings where passengers can make sports prediction picks when they get on their flights. The term used was sports prediction picks rather than gambling or betting, because gambling is actually illegal on planes.
That legal limit shapes how the feature works financially. According to the report, because gambling is illegal on planes, there is no money involved, and passengers do not have to spend their own money, not even miles, to get involved. On the flip side, they also cannot win any money, although they could be in line for some Delta gift cards.
The report also explained the steps for taking part. According to the report, a passenger has to be over 21 years old and cannot do it on the seat back, so they have to use a personal device such as a phone or computer, then log into DraftKings or sign up if they do not have an account. They are asked a couple of questions about a game, or a group of games, make their picks, and submit.
There is a potential reward for those who do well. According to the report, if a passenger comes out on top, that is when they could win those Delta gift cards. The setup keeps the activity within the rules that bar gambling in the air while still offering an incentive tied to the outcome of the picks.
The feature has not been welcomed by everyone. According to the report, sports betting is controversial, and not everybody is a fan of the arrangement. Last year, when Delta announced the deal, Senator Richard Blumenthal sent a letter to the CEOs of Delta and DraftKings saying that he had concerns, one of which was for people who had gambling addictions, and another for children on these planes.
Despite the criticism, the airline is moving ahead. According to the report, Delta is all in, and it is looking at Major League Baseball, so those are the games that passengers can make their picks on. In the fall, when the football season arrives, it will be the NFL, expanding the range of games available for the in-flight picks.