One of the largest sportsbooks in the U.S. helped Philadelphia Eagles fans get to and from the season’s first game.
FanDuel subsidized train service to Lincoln Financial Field for the home opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 4. The sportsbook paid $80,000 to help restore the transit agency’s sports express train service.
The move came after the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority shut down the line because of a funding shortage.
FanDuel officials were happy to provide fans a way home.
“As an official team partner of the Eagles, we are proud to collaborate with SEPTA to make that planning easier by providing fans with free and reliable transportation after the game,” said FanDuel sports president Mike Raffensperger.
Pennsylvania Is Key Market For FanDuel
FanDuel operates an online sports betting operation in the Keystone State and is an official gaming partner of the NFL. The company also operates a brick-and-mortar sportsbook at Lincoln Financial Field. It offers in-stadium wagering for those in attendance.
The Eagles treated the fans to an opening week win and FanDuel gave them a free ride home.
“A lot of people would have been stranded, or people who wanted to just even come hang out, support their city, and support their team, are unable to,” 28-year-old Philly fan Raghu Nuguri told the New York Times.
On the other hand, some were disappointed the state couldn’t fund the line. Instead, a sportsbook had to step in to help.
“I think it’s a pretty sad state when, because of inaction from the Senate … we have to resort to getting funding for transit through a gambling company that’s just going to fund a few hours of our transit,” Rep. Tarik Khan said. “I mean, I’m grateful for FanDuel stepping in for this, but what about the other 364 days of the year.”
Pennsylvania launched an online sports betting industry in May 2019. Since then, it’s become one of the largest markets in the country and FanDuel is the state’s largest sportsbook.
Since the launch, FanDuel’s Pennsylvania operation generated more than $1.5 billion worth of revenue and paid the state $395.7 million in taxes.
There doesn’t appear to be any slowdown for the company happening soon. The American Gaming Association reported Americans will wager a record $30 billion this NFL season through U.S. sportsbooks.
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