DraftKings teams with New York Giants, BetRivers owns Illinois’ July betting

DraftKings has signed a wide-ranging gaming partnership with the NFL’s New York Giants while the company’s Illinois nemesis took top spot in that state’s nascent sports betting market.

On Wednesday, DraftKings became the Official Sports Betting, iGaming and Daily Fantasy operator of the New York Giants. The deal allows DraftKings to incorporate Giants’ logos into its digital platform while also enjoying “premier brand integration” during Giants home games at MetLife Stadium.

DraftKings will also open “a first of its kind virtual SportsLounge” – whatever that is – on Giants game days, while the parties will team up to offer Giants fans access to a weekly free-play Pick ‘Em game.

New York has yet to authorize online betting but does permit retail betting at upstate gambling venues, including the del Lago Resort & Casino, at which DraftKings opened a retail sportsbook one year ago.