DraftKings Sees Legislative Scrutiny of Micro Bets as a Non-Issue

According to Robins, micro bets, such as predicting a strike or ball, make up a small share of DraftKings' live handle

Ziv Chen

Last Updated: August 13, 2025 4:08 PM EDT • 3 minute read

DraftKings Sees Legislative Scrutiny of Micro Bets as a Non-Issue — Pictured: Draftkings Sportsbook. Photo by Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Micro-betting ban? Not a big concern for one of our best sports betting sites.

DraftKings CEO Jason Robins isn't worried about a potential ban on in-game betting in the New Jersey sports betting market. He doesn't see it as a major contributor to future handle growth, with the company's Q2 results showing strong momentum in other segments.

In-game betting the best live betting sites allows wagers on specific plays or outcomes while a game is in progress, rose 16% yearly, with baseball serving as the main driver across key markets.

According to Robins, micro bets, such as predicting a strike or ball, make up a small share of DraftKings' live handle. In the company's recent investor call, he described them as meaningful but only a single-digit percentage of in-game wagering activity.

Legislative proposals have targeted the practice, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's call to ban all prop bets in professional sports and a New Jersey bill seeking to prohibit micro bets during live events. Robins said the likelihood of passage in New Jersey was "very, very low," noting that the state permits online slots in the New Jersey online casino market and questioning the logic of singling out micro betting.

He added that in-game betting's appeal lies in extending the window for customer acquisition, since wagers can be placed after the start of a game. Robins said many bettors remain unaware of this flexibility, and increasing awareness could improve acquisition efficiency.

DraftKings aims to deliver a platform and New Jersey sports betting app that matches the pace of live sports, positioning it for continued expansion in the category. Robins said the company sees significant upside in the coming years, with in-game wagering likely to be the most considerable growth source for overall sports betting handle.

Robins criticizes new gambling tax

In a recent CNBC interview, Robins criticized a new federal tax provision affecting gamblers, calling it a "very strange change." The rule caps deductible losses at 90% of winnings. Under this structure, a bettor who wins and loses $1,000 in the same year would owe taxes on $100 despite breaking even.

Robins argued that this taxes income that does not exist and attributed the rule to compliance with the Byrd rule in budget reconciliation. He said DraftKings is working with lawmakers to pursue changes.

The comments came after DraftKings posted record revenue, net income, and quarterly EBITDA, as plenty of users took advantage of DraftKings promo codes. Management credited the results to sustained customer engagement, efficient acquisition, improved sportsbook hold, and favorable event outcomes. Shares rose more than 3% in extended trading following the earnings release.

Robins also projected continued momentum in US sports betting legalization, suggesting it will ultimately reach most states, including California and Texas.

The American Gaming Association states online sports betting is legal in 34 US states. Robins said it is hard to imagine a landscape where large markets remain excluded as the industry expands nationwide.

Written by:
Ziv Chen

Ziv has over two decades of experience in the igaming and sports betting industry, having served in senior marketing and business development positions with both B2C and B2B companies, including Playtech and Microgaming. In 2019, Ziv decided to pursue his passion for writing and became a fulltime industry journalist, covering casino, sports, and gambling business news. He’s specialties include casino games and technology, US state gambling regulation, company performance, as well as gambling affiliates and marketing. As a Pitt graduate, Ziv is a diehard fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, with the Steelers at the top of the list. In his free time, he enjoys reading crime fiction, biographies (mainly of sports personalities, but not only) and American history. Ziv’s Favorite quote: “We're going to pursue perfection, knowing full well we won't catch it, but we're going to relentlessly chase it," Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach.