DraftKings has the structural benefits to develop into the Uber of the US sportsbook betting market, in keeping with one monetary analyst.
Chatting with LSR this week, Canaccord Genuity analyst Michael Graham mentioned the present market construction round DraftKings inventory was harking back to rideshare.
“We cowl Lyft and Uber, we co-managed on each of these IPOs,” Graham mentioned. “And we acknowledge [sports betting] is much like that. It has all of the hallmarks of a duopoly.”
One motive for that, Graham mentioned, is the put in person base the market leaders take pleasure in.
“The identical means Uber is taking taxi customers and promoting into Uber Eats at nearly no price, DraftKings is cross-selling DFS gamers into sportsbook betting,” Graham defined.
Canaccord bullish on DraftKings inventory
Canaccord lately raised its goal value for DraftKings inventory to USD50, pointing to “current constructive datapoints round platform engagement and the legalization progress”.
Particularly, Canaccord highlighted ‘The Match 2’, which was DraftKings’ greatest golf betting occasion ever, doubling the earlier file.
Nevertheless, Graham additionally acknowledged the share value was at a “premium stage” and DraftKings wanted to ship an “immense quantity of execution” to justify it.
“Sure it’s a premium however my background is masking disruptive corporations within the web area,” Graham mentioned. “And one of many greatest errors I’ve seen is being too targeted on fundamentals early within the life cycle.
“We’re making an attempt to take a long-term view. One in all our main pillars is that DraftKings can use the subsequent couple of years to construct entry limitations to the market.”
Constructing sportsbook betting limitations to entry
Graham pointed to the built-in participant base as one barrier, together with the flexibility to do nationwide advertising campaigns when the time comes.
“We noticed it with [e-commerce platform] Wayfair. After they began spending nationally on advertising and model constructing, they actually gained leverage,” Graham mentioned.
He additionally recommended DraftKings would use its technological prowess to develop sharper in-play fashions, serving to to spice up margins.
Draw back dangers stay for DraftKings
As for the execution dangers, Graham warned states would possibly legalize betting at a slower fee than anticipated.
It’s price noting that states containing a 3rd of the US inhabitants – California, Texas, and New York – face vital limitations to sportsbook betting legalization.
Graham additionally highlighted some threat for the DraftKings inventory case if comparable corporations began itemizing. In spite of everything, value is formed by provide and demand, and DK is the one pure-play US sportsbook betting alternative.
“Shortage is a crucial a part of why the inventory has a lot momentum,” Graham mentioned. “Competitors for funding USD is a bit of totally different than working competitiveness. But when Flutter does spin out FanDuel for instance and checklist that on the Nasdaq, that might have an effect.”