Novig, the leading peer-to-peer sports prediction market in the US, announced the successful close of an $18 million Series A funding round. The round was led by Forerunner, with participation from existing investors Y Combinator, NFX, Perceptive Ventures, and Gaingels.

Founded by Jacob Fortinsky and Kelechi Ukah, Novig is reimagining sports predictions as a transparent and fair marketplace. Unlike traditional sportsbooks, Novig allows users to trade directly with one another, rather than against the house, eliminating hidden fees, biased odds, and the risk of being penalized for winning.

Novig has experienced explosive growth since its public launch in September 2024, achieving a 50x increase in monthly trading volume and surpassing 2 billion worth in annualized volume in Novig Cash.

“What we’re building isn’t just sports predictions–it’s a true peer-to-peer market. We believe users deserve a system that rewards skill, reflects true supply and demand, and gives every fan a fair shot. We’ve quickly become the #1 sports prediction market in the US, and our organic growth speaks to the strength of our product and the passion of our community. The support from some of the world’s leading tech investors, who believe in our mission to democratize sports betting for good, is a powerful endorsement—not just of what we’ve built, but of the future we’re creating. This funding will allow us to scale our mission across more sports, more formats, and ultimately, to more users,” said Jacob Fortinsky, CEO and co-founder of Novig.

More than 90% of trades on Novig are now fully peer-to-peer, a signal of strong product-market fit. Novig users are three times more likely to remain active on the platform compared to traditional betting platforms. Every new Novig user receives a starting balance of Novig Coins and Novig Cash, enabling them to experience the thrill of trading with no upfront deposit or risk.

With the new capital, Novig plans to expand coverage to additional sports and deepen its presence in existing markets. The company will also launch new features, including leaderboards, group contests, and head-to-head trading. Additionally, Novig aims to support fiat on-ramps such as debit and credit card payments, launch a full-featured web app, and scale hiring across its engineering, product, and growth teams.

“Novig sits at the center of several key secular trends in gaming and entertainment, namely that consumers increasingly are spending their time, energy, and attention with financial products. The Novig team brings the most sophisticated and nuanced perspective to sports prediction markets. They not only deeply understand their target customer, but are building a system that is more fair, community-oriented, rewarding, and well, fun,” said Fawzi Itani, Principal at Forerunner.

The Arizona Department of Gaming has launched its first-ever statewide Public Education Campaign focused on protecting consumers, promoting public awareness, and reducing the harms associated with unregulated gambling. This is a significant milestone in the Department’s ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure a safe and responsible gaming environment.

Arizona offers a variety of legal, regulated gaming options throughout the state, including tribal casinos, event wagering, fantasy sports, and parimutuel wagering. For 30 years, ADG has safeguarded the integrity of Arizona’s gaming industry through rigorous oversight, licensing, and enforcement in accordance with the Tribal-State Gaming Compacts. This new campaign expands on that mission by educating Arizonans on how to avoid illegal gambling and access support services when needed.

The campaign is designed to inform and empower the public by emphasizing the risks of engaging with unlicensed operators and providing them with tools to identify legal, regulated options. It aims to reduce consumer vulnerability, prevent exploitation, and help individuals make informed decisions if they choose to participate in gaming activities.

The campaign kicks off with a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs), developed in collaboration with the Arizona Media Association, which will be aired across TV, radio, print, and digital platforms. Available in both English and Spanish, the PSAs will:

• Educate the public on how to identify legal, regulated gaming operators in Arizona

• Emphasize consumer protection and the safeguards provided by regulated gaming environments

• Highlight the role regulated gaming plays in supporting Arizona communities and essential services

• Promote the 1-800-NEXT STEP helpline, which connects individuals to confidential, 24/7 support for problem gambling.

To complement the PSAs, ADG has launched the Check Your Bet webpage, which serves as a centralized resource to verify regulated gaming and access consumer protection tools. The webpage includes:

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• A searchable list and interactive map of authorized Tribal Casinos in Arizona

• A searchable list and interactive map of licensed Event Wagering and Fantasy Sports Operators and their retail locations

• Information on Advanced Deposit Wagering Providers (ADWPs), Off-Track Betting (OTB) locations, and permitted horse racing tracks in Arizona

• How to access the Division of Problem Gambling’s Helpline, a confidential Problem Gambling Self-Screening Quiz, and additional supportive resources

• How to request Self-Exclusion, a voluntary program to prohibit oneself from Tribal Casinos and Event Wagering and Fantasy Sports Contests

• Guidance on submitting tips about suspected illegal gambling to the Department and filing consumer complaints with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

“We are proud to celebrate 30 years of providing world-class gaming regulation and consumer protection. This campaign is about empowering Arizonans who choose to participate in gaming with the knowledge to make informed, responsible decisions. As illegal and unregulated options on the market increase, the Check Your Bet webpage serves as a key resource for the public to verify licensed operators and access support. By directing viewers from our PSAs to this tool, we’re helping ensure people not only play safely, but also know where to turn if they or a loved one are struggling with problem gambling,” said Jackie Johnson, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming.

Since its founding in 1995, the Department has worked tirelessly to ensure that Arizona’s gaming industry operates with transparency, integrity, and responsibility. The campaign will run through the end of March 2026 and reflects ADG’s commitment to a safe, transparent, and well-regulated gaming landscape in Arizona.