DraftKings Announces Sponsorship of Military Research Associate Program Developed by Kindbridge Research Institute

BOSTON, November 18, 2022 /3BL Media/ -DraftKings Inc. (Nasdaq: DKNG) today announced it will provide multi-year funding to Kindbridge Research Institute (“KRI”) and serve as the sole corporate sponsor of KRI’s Military Research Associate Program (“MRAP”), which assists veterans transitioning from military service to pursuing advanced training in public mental health research. DraftKings’ sponsorship furthers its commitment to a systems-based, public health-informed approach to responsible gaming – including the support of evidence-based research.

“It is a privilege to be able to play a leading role in supporting the next generation of researchers while training veterans for new careers in concert with KRI,” said Chrissy Thurmond, DraftKings’ Senior Director, Responsible Gaming. “DraftKings has a deep tradition of supporting the military community as part of its Tech for Heroes initiative and S.E.R.V.E.S. corporate social responsibility program, which has previously provided support for KRI’s ongoing research designed to provide a solution to the lack of information about problem gaming among veterans. We will continue to seek out ways to give back to service members, veterans and their families.”

Designed to increase the number of veterans trained to work in mental health research and treatment, the program lends veterans transitioning from military service valuable support in key areas, including academic skill building, such as academic writing, literature search and review, study design and execution, as well as academic and research resume building, which includes publishing peer-reviewed articles. Participants will dedicate two years to the KRI program in order to develop the advanced training in mental health research necessary for continuing their education at the graduate level; in the first year, participants are expected to publish a minimum of one academic paper in a peer-reviewed journal and present a poster or speak at one academic conference.

“We are thrilled to team up with DraftKings on this one-of-a-kind program. At KRI, we believe that no one understands the mental health struggles of veterans better than veterans themselves,” said Nathan D.L. Smith, Ph.D., KRI’s Executive Director. “This program provides training and support for transitioning service members into public mental health professionals. The ultimate goal is to ensure those who served in the armed forces have a voice in the discussion of veteran mental health for generations to come.”

In 2021, DraftKings announced a multi-year financial commitment to KRI for an innovative research initiative designed to provide a solution to the lack of information about problem gaming among veterans, with the ultimate goal of advancing evidence-based research in this area and improving the lives of impacted veterans. DraftKings is the only U.S.-based gaming operator contributing to the 50x4Vets program, which leverages a cutting-edge approach by incorporating into the research actual, lived experience of individual veterans who seek inpatient treatment in the U.S.

Through the DraftKings S.E.R.V.E.S. corporate social responsibility program, standing for Service, Equity, Responsible Gaming, Vitality, Entrepreneurship, and Sports, DraftKings’ responsible gaming focus is to foster safer play through technology, staff training, education and resources for consumers, collaboration with external stakeholders, and through the support of evidence-based research. DraftKings is proud to be the first U.S. gaming operator to offer financial support to all of the U.S. state councils and affiliates of the National Council on Problem Gambling through its State Council Funding Program.

Service is also a key pillar of the program, encompassing DraftKings’ commitment to those who have served in the military. DraftKings provides training in high demand tech skills for current and returning veterans, and their spouses, in an effort to help them expand their abilities in their current role or to find meaningful employment, or explore careers in tech, through its Tech for Heroes Program. Since its launch in 2018, DraftKings has hosted 21 Tech for Heroes training classes across six cities and online, with over 600 veterans or military spouses trained, and $1M raised through the support of its customers who participate in charity daily fantasy sports contests. Additionally, DraftKings employees are invited to participate in a 1:1 career mentoring program in collaboration with American Corporate Partners.

To learn more about DraftKings’ commitment to responsible gaming and to advancing social innovation around the world, please visit DraftKings S.E.R.V.E.S. To learn more about KRI, please visit kindbridgeinstitute.org.

About DraftKings

DraftKings Inc. is a digital sports entertainment and gaming company created to fuel the competitive spirit of sports fans with products that range across daily fantasy, regulated gaming and digital media. Headquartered in Boston, and launched in 2012 by Jason Robins, Matt Kalish and Paul Liberman, DraftKings is the only U.S.-based vertically integrated sports betting operator. DraftKings is a multi-channel provider of sports betting and gaming technologies, powering sports and gaming entertainment for operators in 17 countries. The Company operates iGaming in 5 states through its DraftKings brand, as well as operating Golden Nugget Online Gaming, an award-winning iGaming product and iconic gaming brand, in 3 states. DraftKings’ Sportsbook is live with mobile and/or retail betting operations in the United States pursuant to regulations in 20 states and in Ontario, Canada. DraftKings’ daily fantasy sports product is available in 6 countries internationally with 15 distinct sports categories. DraftKings is both an official daily fantasy and sports betting partner of the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA TOUR and UFC as well as an official daily fantasy partner of NASCAR. Launched in August 2021, DraftKings Marketplace is a digital collectibles ecosystem designed for mainstream accessibility that offers curated NFT drops and supports secondary-market transactions. DraftKings also owns Vegas Sports Information Network (VSiN), a multi-platform broadcast and content company.

About Kindbridge Research Institute

Kindbridge Research Institute (KRI), a registered nonprofit, was founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to an increased demand for mental health services for gamers when in person access to resources was no longer a possibility. KRI’s mission is to advance evidence-based mental health solutions for gambling and gaming communities through research.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this release are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside DraftKings’ control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see DraftKings’ Securities and Exchange Commission filings. DraftKings does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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