Delta Air Lines is making waves in the world of aviation and entertainment by unveiling a new collaboration with DraftKings at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. This partnership represents Delta’s bold step into the evolving world of sports betting, though the specifics of the collaboration remain unclear.

While both companies are staying tight-lipped about the finer details, Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, teased a future where passengers could enjoy an enhanced gaming experience during their flights. The partnership, which is part of Delta’s broader initiative to offer more entertainment options through its Delta Sync experience, aims to expand the options available on its seatback screens, providing passengers with engaging activities beyond just typical inflight entertainment.

Sports betting in the sky: a long-awaited possibility:

Despite the excitement surrounding the announcement, there is a significant barrier that stands in the way: the legality of in-flight gambling. According to current U.S. law, commercial flights are prohibited from offering any form of gambling, a rule that has been in place since the Gambling Devices Act of 1962. This regulation prevents airlines like Delta from offering real-money sports betting or any similar activities during flights. However, the rapid growth of the sports betting industry, particularly in states where it has been legalized in recent years, has raised speculation that the ban could be revisited in the future.

Bastian, acknowledging this restriction, pointed out that gaming is becoming an integral part of daily life for millions of consumers. He also noted that passengers should not have to “hit pause” on their gaming experiences when they board a plane. While gambling itself is not yet permissible, this partnership with DraftKings could mean an eventual shift in how airlines approach in-flight entertainment, potentially pushing for legislative change in the future.

In the meantime, Delta and DraftKings are exploring the possibilities for their collaboration. One potential avenue could involve integrating gamified experiences, such as fantasy sports or online games, into Delta’s current inflight entertainment offerings. Given that both companies are heavily invested in digital entertainment, a partnership that focuses on providing games rather than traditional gambling could allow them to sidestep legal restrictions while still offering passengers an engaging experience during their flight.

According to Thrifty Traveler, Delta commented: “Delta is excited to collaborate with DraftKings as we build out the gaming portfolio on our Delta Sync experience. Specific details on the partnership and how DraftKings will appear on Delta Sync will be available at a future date.”

Delta’s gaming strategy and its industry impact:

While the exact nature of the Delta-DraftKings partnership is still being worked out, it’s clear that the airline is positioning itself as a pioneer in the air travel industry. The partnership could pave the way for more airlines to explore gaming as a potential revenue stream. In fact, similar efforts have been explored by other companies. For example, budget airline EasyJet’s parent company, EasyGroup, launched easyBet.net in 2024, a peer-to-peer betting exchange in partnership with Matchbook, which aims to provide a trusted betting platform under its “Easy” brand.

In the U.S., the push for inflight gambling is not entirely new. Delta’s latest move follows years of discussions about the possibility of legalizing gambling on airplanes. In the 1990s, the Department of Transportation conducted a study that suggested airlines could earn millions by offering gambling during flights. However, the study ultimately concluded that the practice should not be legalized without further scrutiny.

Despite the legal roadblocks, analysts speculate that Delta may lobby for a change in regulations, particularly with the incoming Trump administration, which could be more sympathetic to legalizing gambling onboard. If Delta succeeds, it could open the door for a new era of inflight entertainment and revenue generation in the aviation sector.

At this stage, the only certainty is that Delta and DraftKings are working together to explore new opportunities for integrating gaming into the inflight experience. While it’s unclear if real-money gambling will be part of the equation anytime soon, passengers could see new gaming options that complement the airline’s current in-seat entertainment offerings.

The idea of using frequent flyer miles, such as Delta SkyMiles, in connection with sports betting or offering SkyMiles redemption for gambling winnings is another potential avenue being considered. As View From The Wing reports, it mirrors similar partnerships, like the one between BetMGM and Marriott, where users earn Marriott Bonvoy points for signing up with BetMGM. However, until more details are revealed, it’s difficult to predict exactly what form the partnership will take.