Delta Airlines recently conducted an in-flight entertainment survey to assess passengers' interest in a potential future sports betting service. This is the latest development following the company's partnership with renowned operator DraftKings earlier this year.
The survey covered a variety of entertainment options, including music, movies, podcasts, animation, live TV, travel content, and sports betting. Passengers were asked which content they would like to try for free on board, with "sports betting" listed as one of the emerging points of interest.
However, according to current U.S. law, any form of real money betting on commercial flights remains illegal. The Gambling Devices Act of 1962 explicitly prohibits gambling on aircraft, and due to different regulatory policies on sports betting across states, it also involves complex jurisdictional issues. Therefore, Delta can currently only consider offering a simulated betting experience that does not involve cash transactions.
Industry observers note that since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, sports betting has rapidly expanded in the U.S., and it is no coincidence that airlines are exploring this field. Delta's action may be an early move to position itself for potential regulatory relaxations in the future.
In fact, as early as 1996, the U.S. federal government considered lifting restrictions on in-flight gambling, but it was ultimately vetoed by the Clinton administration. Delta's partnership with DraftKings may aim to offer a non-monetary gambling experience during flights, guiding users to continue real betting on the platform after landing.
It is worth mentioning that this development comes as DraftKings and Flutter face tax increases and an additional $0.50 fee per transaction in Illinois, reflecting the trend of gambling operators accelerating the search for innovative scenarios and market entries in the new environment.
