DraftKings Expands in North America While Remaining Absent from Australian Market in 2026
As of September 2026, DraftKings continues to operate legally across numerous U.S. states and has recently entered the Canadian market, but the company maintains no sportsbook presence in Australia where it ceased operations several years ago.
DraftKings, a well-known name in online sports betting and iGaming, has not returned to the Australian market since ceasing operations there on November 15, 2021. Australian users were advised to withdraw their funds before that date, and as of September 2026, DraftKings does not offer sportsbook services within Australia. This contrasts with the presence of several other established sportsbooks like Sportsbet, Bet365, and Ladbrokes that continue to serve Australian bettors with diverse betting options. (1) [1]
Meanwhile, DraftKings remains a major operator in the United States, where it is legal and active in 29 states. These include key gaming markets such as New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The company's sustained operations across such a broad range of U.S. jurisdictions underscore its strong foothold in the American sports betting scene. (2) [2]
Expanding further in North America, DraftKings launched its online sports betting and iGaming platforms in the Canadian province of Alberta on July 13, 2026. This move represents DraftKings' growing footprint outside the U.S., signaling attempts to capture a share of the Canadian market where regulation is becoming more favorable toward legalized sports wagering. (3) [3]
The ongoing absence from Australia despite growth elsewhere invites speculation on strategic or regulatory factors influencing DraftKings' market focus. Yet, publicly available information does not clarify reasons for the company's sustained non-operation in Australia beyond the official cessation in 2021. The competitive environment in that country, with multiple prominent sportsbooks, may also shape DraftKings’ decisions regarding re-entry, but concrete details remain limited. (1,3) [1][3]