Delta Tests Waters for In-Flight Sports Betting
Delta Airlines is dipping its toes into uncharted skies, asking passengers if they’d like to place sports bets at 30,000 feet. The airline rolled out a survey to its customers, probing their interest in various entertainment options for its in-flight Wi-Fi portal.
A New Kind of In-Flight Fun
Alongside staples like music, movies, and podcasts, Delta slipped in a question about “exclusive access to sports betting opportunities” on personal devices. It’s a bold idea, but one that’s got people talking.
The survey is part of Delta’s push to rethink onboard entertainment, sparked by a partnership with DraftKings announced in January 2025. CEO Ed Bastian, speaking at CES in Las Vegas, said gaming, from fantasy sports to online adventures, is a daily habit for millions of customers who shouldn’t have to “hit pause” just because they’re airborne.
Legal Turbulence Ahead
Here’s the catch: gambling on U.S. commercial flights is a no-go under current law. The 1962 Gambling Devices Act, also known as the Johnson Act, bans gambling on American planes, and the Gorton Amendment extends that rule to foreign carriers flying to or from the U.S.
The law defines a “gambling device” as anything, including apps, that could deliver money or property through chance. That means Delta’s Wi-Fi portal offering bets on, say, the Super Bowl could be grounded before takeoff.
To skirt this, Delta might offer non-monetary betting options, like fantasy sports games, to build buzz and drive users to DraftKings’ platform after landing.
But even promoting gambling through in-flight systems is a legal gray area. Some experts wonder if Delta’s lawyers think they can thread the needle by hosting promotional content without directly facilitating bets. For now, the airline’s just testing the waters with its survey.
Why the Sky’s the Limit
Why bother? The financial upside is massive. A 1996 Department of Transportation study estimated in-flight gambling could generate $1 million per plane annually, over $1.6 million in today’s dollars. With Delta’s fleet of nearly 1,000 aircraft, that’s potentially $1 billion a year if federal restrictions were lifted.
Past attempts by airlines like Singapore Airlines and Swissair fizzled due to operational or safety concerns, but Delta’s betting modern tech and its DraftKings tie-up could change the game.
The survey’s timing suggests Delta’s serious about exploring this, even if the deal with DraftKings isn’t finalized. Passengers on Reddit weren’t thrilled, with one calling it “an absolutely terrible idea” that could fuel in-flight tensions.
Others worried about the mix of betting, booze, and tight quarters. Still, Delta’s forging ahead, likely banking on future lobbying to loosen laws and unlock a new revenue stream.
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