Delta Air Lines Teams Up with DraftKings, Raising Concerns About In-Flight Gaming

Delta Air Lines has announced an exciting collaboration with DraftKings, signaling its ambition to redefine in-flight entertainment. Unveiled at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, this partnership marks Delta’s innovative foray into the world of gaming and sports betting. While specific details remain under wraps, the move underscores Delta's commitment to enhancing passenger experiences through its Delta Sync platform.

Gaming Takes Flight

Delta CEO Ed Bastian hinted at a future where passengers might enjoy interactive gaming experiences during their flights. The partnership aims to elevate in-flight entertainment by integrating gamified activities and potentially offering new ways to engage with content. This aligns with Delta's vision to expand its entertainment portfolio and keep passengers connected to their favorite activities, even at 35,000 feet.

Navigating Legal Challenges

A major hurdle for this initiative is the current prohibition on in-flight gambling under U.S. law. The Gambling Devices Act of 1962 restricts commercial airlines from offering gambling activities, including real-money sports betting. However, the burgeoning popularity of legalized sports betting across the United States has fueled speculation about a potential shift in legislation.

Acknowledging this challenge, Bastian emphasized the growing integration of gaming into daily life and the desire to extend that experience to air travel. Although gambling is not yet an option, Delta and DraftKings are exploring legal ways to introduce gaming elements, such as fantasy sports and interactive games, to their inflight entertainment system.

Building the Delta-DraftKings Experience

Delta has confirmed its excitement about collaborating with DraftKings to expand its gaming offerings on the Delta Sync platform. While the exact features remain under development, this partnership opens the door to creative solutions that enhance passenger engagement without breaching legal restrictions.

For instance, the integration of fantasy sports leagues, trivia challenges, and interactive multiplayer games could provide passengers with an immersive entertainment experience. Such options would cater to gaming enthusiasts while maintaining compliance with current regulations.

Setting the Stage for Industry Transformation

Delta's partnership with DraftKings could set a precedent for the aviation industry. If successful, it might inspire other airlines to explore gaming as a revenue stream and passenger engagement tool. Notably, EasyJet's parent company, EasyGroup, recently launched easyBet.net—a peer-to-peer betting exchange—as part of its broader digital strategy.

In the U.S., discussions around in-flight gambling have been ongoing for decades. A Department of Transportation study in the 1990s suggested that airlines could generate significant revenue through onboard gambling, but the idea was shelved due to legal and ethical concerns. With Delta's innovative approach, the conversation around legalizing in-flight gambling could gain renewed momentum.