DraftKings has launched DK Replay in Oregon, an innovative baseball betting feature that utilizes archived MLB games for pitch-by-pitch bets via their sportsbook app.
This product works using a rich database of historical Major League Baseball plate appearances, allowing users to participate in wagers based on actual historical outcomes.
DraftKings characterized this new offering as “a fresh way to bet on baseball, regardless of whether a live game is taking place,” centering gameplay around “‘historical betting markets’ derived from genuine MLB contests.”
DK Replay provides users with a “masked pitcher vs. batter matchup,” where names are not revealed at the outset. Instead, players are categorized by performance metrics.
Participants receive a rating of bronze, silver, or gold based on critical statistics from the original matchup, such as batting average, slugging percentage, ERA, and strikeouts per nine innings. These ratings help users make informed decisions before placing each bet.
Users can place a wager within the pitch clock on whether the next pitch will be a ball, strike, or in play. Once the bet is made, the actual result of the pitch will be disclosed, and the wager will be settled.
At the end of a complete plate appearance, or if a user opts out of further betting, additional information will be unveiled. This includes the names and teams of both the pitcher and batter, the game’s date, and the inning from the original contest.
After this reveal, participants can move on to a new matchup within the same structure.
Currently, DK Replay is exclusive to Oregon, where DraftKings is the only legal sportsbook operator under its agreement with the Oregon Lottery. The game was approved by the lottery prior to its launch.
Participation is limited to individuals aged 21 and older, who must download the most recent version of the DraftKings Sportsbook mobile application to join in.
Future expansion will hinge on regulatory approvals in other jurisdictions. DraftKings has stated it is “considering additional state launches” for this product.
The rollout of DK Replay is part of DraftKings’ broader initiative to integrate diverse offerings into a streamlined platform. The company is striving towards a “super app” model intended to consolidate most of DraftKings’ offerings into a single location.
By integrating archived MLB data into a pitch-centric betting framework, this product facilitates wagering independent of live game timelines.
The DK Replay format resembles other historical data-driven betting models, including historical horse racing and digital games that leverage archived sports results, similar to the newly launched Hard Rock Bet game in Florida that utilizes historical NASCAR data.
“DK Replay brings an innovative experience for our customers, enabling them to engage in pitch-by-pitch betting within a distinctive historical framework,” stated Corey Gottlieb, DraftKings’ Chief Product Officer. “With DK Replay, we provide an experience that allows customers to enjoy their favorite sports year-round.”
DraftKings has not specified a timeline for extending availability beyond Oregon. Future accessibility is contingent upon regulatory approvals in other states.