Delta Airlines has launched a customer survey to assess passenger interest in in-flight entertainment options — including sports betting.
The survey invites passengers to choose from a range of entertainment services they’d like to experience as part of a free in-flight trial. Options include access to music, movies, podcasts, anime, travel shows, live TV, and notably, sportsbook-style gambling features.
Legal Limitations in the U.S.
Despite growing demand for online wagering, in-flight gambling remains illegal under current U.S. federal law. Specifically, the 1962 Gambling Devices Act prohibits gambling activities on commercial aircraft. Additionally, because sports betting is regulated at the state level, implementing a legal in-flight solution introduces complex jurisdictional challenges.
Delta would therefore only be able to offer non-monetary betting experiences, such as free-to-play games or prediction contests without real money stakes.
Industry Trends and Strategic Timing
Delta’s survey comes amid a nationwide boom in sports betting following the repeal of PASPA in 2018. Industry watchers believe this move signals Delta’s anticipation of a future loosening of federal gambling regulations — and its intention to be prepared.
In fact, the U.S. government nearly legalized in-flight gambling in 1996, only to have the Clinton administration shut the idea down at the last moment.
Delta’s DraftKings Partnership May Play a Role
Delta already partners with DraftKings, a major U.S. sportsbook operator. Should in-flight sports wagering move forward, Delta could introduce DraftKings’ non-monetary betting games to its in-flight entertainment system. This would allow passengers to explore the platform during their flight and possibly convert into paying users after landing.
Broader Industry Context
This news also follows DraftKings’ and Flutter’s recent implementation of a $0.50 transaction fee in Illinois. The change comes in response to a new state law imposing a 50% tax on sports betting, prompting operators to pass part of the cost onto users.
