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Read Full BioFanDuel has announced the launch of a new peer-to-peer fantasy sports product, FanDuel Picks, which will launch in 17 states. The new product will enhance the platform’s presence in states that do not currently allow it to offer sports betting legally in time for the football season.
The company announced the new game in a press release, stating, “With FanDuel Picks, customers can pick three to six players, select ‘more’ or ‘less’ on the players’ projected stat lines and set their contest entry amount. Customers earn points for every correct selection, and customers with the highest score win a share of the prize pool.”
The product will mimic prop betting, but players will compete against each other, rather than the house, to win prizes. FanDuel Picks will be made available in 17 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.
FanDuel Engages Users Who Can’t Bet Legally
FanDuel does not operate its sportsbook in any of the states, so the Picks product offers players the chance to engage with its platform.
In addition to winning prizes when competing against other players, users will have the chance to win 1,000 times their entry fee. New users can receive $60 in bonus funds for playing with $5.
Rob Cullen, FanDuel Picks General Manager, commented: “Just in time for NFL season, we are excited to bring fans a social way to engage with the sports and athletes they love with the launch of FanDuel Picks.”
“The ‘more’ or ‘less’ selection model offers a streamlined fantasy sports experience, and we look forward to offering our customers another way to interact with games this season.”
The company also partnered with prediction market platform CME to expand its presence in other markets. For now, markets will not include sports, but depending on the outcome of court verdicts, they might later. Nevada and Ohio‘s gambling regulators have both voiced concerns about sportsbooks offering prediction markets.
Fantasy Sports Face Increasing Legal Challenges
The Picks game is launched at a time when states are increasingly clamping down on against-the-house DFS. California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta has declared DFS illegal in the state, and many operators are adapting their models accordingly.
Underdog initially filed for an injunction against Bonta issuing an opinion, but after this was rejected in court, the platform switched to a peer-to-peer DFS format.
PrizePicks also moved away from against-the-house Pick’em games this week, switching to a peer-to-peer model in all states.
FanDuel has so far expressed its desire to work with Bonta in finding a compromise, commenting: “We’ve had initial discussions with the Attorney General’s office and look forward to continuing the conversation about the path forward in California.”
FanDuel Picks will not be available in California, as well as Florida, New York, Michigan, or Illinois. The states have similarly cracked down on DFS as unlicensed sports betting.
