After extensive speculation lasting over a year, DraftKings and Delta Air Lines have officially introduced a free-to-play sports contest aimed at navigating the legal complexities surrounding in-flight gambling. Launched on July 29, SkyPicks allows eligible passengers to predict the outcomes of real sporting events for a chance to win Delta gift cards.
SkyPicks is exclusively available to SkyMiles members aged 21 and above on U.S. domestic flights equipped with Wi-Fi. Participants can access the contest via their mobile devices or laptops through Delta Sync, where they will answer various sports-related questions, such as who will score first, the winning team, and the final score for tie-breaking purposes.
Players who make accurate predictions will climb the leaderboard, with top performers receiving gift cards as prizes. Delta and DraftKings plan to introduce several new contests weekly, initially focusing on Major League Baseball (MLB), with National Football League (NFL) contests anticipated later this year.
Crucially, participants are not allowed to wager real money or SkyMiles. Instead, SkyPicks is a promotional contest where eligible players compete for Delta gift cards based solely on their prediction accuracy.
The Gambling Devices Act of 1962 generally prohibits gambling on U.S. commercial flights, prompting DraftKings to design SkyPicks in a way that adheres to legal restrictions. Eligibility is confirmed through passengers’ SkyMiles account details, and prizes are awarded in the form of Delta gift cards rather than cash.
To join the contest, passengers must log in with an existing DraftKings account or create one during the flight. Entries must be submitted before the plane reaches its destination gate, although players can modify their selections until the contest closes if the entry window is still open. New contests can only be accessed while airborne.
Delta initially announced its partnership with DraftKings in January 2025 during a keynote speech by CEO Ed Bastian at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Bastian noted that gaming has become an integral part of many customers' lives and emphasized that they should not have to pause their gaming activities while flying.
However, Delta later clarified that the ability to gamble was not part of their current exploration. In June 2025, a Delta passenger survey surfaced on Reddit, listing potential features for Delta Sync, including “exclusive access to sports gambling (Sportsbook) opportunities” via the airline’s Wi-Fi.
This wording reignited speculation about Delta's interest in gambling-related entertainment. The partnership has also faced political scrutiny, with Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal urging DraftKings and Delta to halt the launch, citing concerns about problem gambling and public health.
Despite the absence of real-money betting, SkyPicks serves as a strategic customer acquisition tool for DraftKings, providing entertainment while fostering engagement with potential new customers.