Fantasy Sports
Underdog Announces Pioneering Responsible Gaming Innovation Fund
Underdog Fantasy, the fast-growing sports gaming platform, announced the launch of GuardDog, a pioneering investment initiative dedicated to fostering innovation in responsible gaming. Underdog is launching GuardDog with $1 million in initial funding to be used to support and accelerate early-stage startups focused on building new and creative solutions to address problem gaming and further responsible gaming.
GuardDogâs mission is to identify, invest, and help grow innovative startups that help real-money operators operate responsibly and players play responsibly. In keeping with Underdogâs overarching commitment to industry-leading innovation in responsible gaming, GuardDog will make investments in companies building technology and solutions to make fantasy, betting and all real-money games safer and more enjoyable for those who play.
Companies receiving GuardDog funding will, in addition to monetary investment, get access to advisors, mentors, and investors from a community of former regulators, responsible gaming experts, experienced funders, and more who can help accelerate their business. Mentors include Brianne Doura-Schawohl, renowned responsible gaming advocate; Adam Warrington, former vice president of Responsible Gaming at FanDuel; Chris Grove, partner at Acies Investments; Dan Hartman, former director of the Colorado Division of Gaming; and Sara Tait, former executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission.
âAt Underdog, we always look to adopt best in class and then innovate further. With GuardDog, we intend to spur innovation to help companies that help people play the games they love â including all our games on Underdog â responsibly. We know there are tons of dreamers, entrepreneurs and builders out there that can help build a stronger, more responsible ecosystem for all. We want to help those innovating in responsibility by providing capital, mentorship and valuable connections. Weâre really excited to launch GuardDog and we canât wait to help some amazing companies,â Jeremy Levine, founder and co-CEO of Underdog, said.
Fantasy Sports
RotoUnderworld Closes $1.5 Million in Pre-Seed Round to Transform Fantasy Sports & iGaming with FastDraft Mobile Platform
RotoUnderworld, a technology company that analyzes statistical data for fantasy sports, announced that it has raised $1.5 million in a pre-seed funding round to build the next-generation fantasy gaming platform. The round was led by iGaming mavens and technology investors recognizing the companyâs hyperactive user base and mobile development capabilities.
RotoUnderworldâs new FastDraft app is revolutionizing the iGaming sector with high-engagement fantasy contests that appeal to both low and high-volume customers. By reducing draft times, simplifying the user experience, and providing more actionable in-game data, FastDraft is accessible to a wider audience of sports fans and fantasy enthusiasts.
âRotoUnderworld is on a mission to bring knowledge and joy to sports. Soon after our sports data business ramped up, we were inundated by fantasy sports consumers eager for more mobile fantasy gaming options, especially in the rapidly growing best ball vertical. We listened and delivered,â said Matthew Kelley, founder of RotoUnderworld and gameplay architect of FastDraft.
âOur drafts finish in under 5 minutes, which is 10 times faster than traditional best ball formats. By simplifying the scoring and reducing the time to draft, FastDraft appeals to over 50 million fantasy gamers worldwide who love drafting but often feel overwhelmed by the complexity, competition and time commitment. FastDraftâs streamlined format makes it easy to engage with the app and significantly increases user spend per session,â said Kelley.
After acquiring more than 1000 new FastDraft users in the first month, the company is preparing a seed funding round to scale the platform, introduce new contest formats and promote the brand to the millions of fantasy gamers worldwide eager to start drafting faster.
Fantasy Sports
WagerWire Launches Buying and Selling of Fantasy Entries in App
WagerWire, a sports gaming marketplace technology company serving sportsbooks and fantasy operators, announced that buying and selling is now live in their app, available in the iOS and Google Play stores. This marks the first time that fantasy players can legally buy and sell daily fantasy Pickâem entries with the tap of a button.
WagerWire users are now able to buy and sell RealTime Fantasy Sports entries on the app, with more fantasy operators to be added for trading soon. WagerWire announced their integration with RealTime Fantasy in January 2024, allowing users to sell their Pickâem lineups while in progress, including during the actual game, directly on the RTFS platform. During the NFL playoffs, the marketplace saw 12% of all DFS Pickâem lineups sell on the secondary market.
âThis is a paradigm shifting moment for fantasy. This launch represents a way to bring more ownership and control over their entries. For the first time, there is a way to cash in on your lineups even if they go on to lose – by selling it to a friend or on the open market. The excitement is palpable,â said WagerWire Co-Founder and CEO Zach Doctor.
The newly launched fantasy marketplace is the latest addition to the growing technology portfolio of WagerWireâs parent company Wire Industries Inc. Their app already hosts an array of marketplace tools for both sports betting and fantasy including stat tracking, account syncing, bet value graph builders and calculator, and social features that allow users to follow how their friends, influencers, or sharps are playing.
âIâve been playing fantasy for years, but being able to sell my DFS lineups is game-changing. Iâm also loving being able to buy and sell in-game and see the progress of my picks with live price suggestions. The RT marketplace in the WagerWire app takes an already great and easy-to-use experience to the next level,â said Braiden Payne, RealTime Fantasy Sports veteran user.
WagerWire was recently shortlisted for two awards at SBC North America â Rising Star of the Year and Affiliate of the Year, in addition to EGRâs Rising Star of the Year and Hashtag Sportâs Best X Presence award.
Fantasy Sports
Canton Welcomes the Return of the Country’s Largest Fantasy Football Expo to Hall of Fame Village in August
Hall of Fame Village announced that the largest Fantasy Football Expo in the country will be making a comeback, and looks to bring thousands to Canton. Fantasy Football Expo 2024 will be hosted on the Hall of Fame Village campus at the Center for Performance from August 9 to 11, 2024. This event, in its 5th year, takes place for a second time at the Village and brings together passionate fantasy football fans and top experts from around the country for 3 days of ultimate fantasy football fun.
Fantasy Football Expo 2024 has 3 days of experiences planned, uniting enthusiastic fans and leading experts nationwide. The weekend includes a blend of fantasy drafts, networking opportunities, and expert insights, bringing together seasoned veterans and newcomers to experience all things “fantasy football” under one roof.
“Hosting the Fantasy Football Expo 2024 fits perfectly within our Company’s model of bringing sports and entertainment together, especially with fantasy and the virtual experience being such integral parts of how fans engage with sports. We are thrilled to leverage our world-class venue to enhance and elevate this extraordinary event, considering the popularity of fantasy football and our mission to inspire and entertain guests,” Michael Crawford, President & CEO at Hall of Fame Village, said.
Bob Lung, Director of the Expo, said: “I’m incredibly thankful to work with Hall of Fame Village to bring the Expo back for another fantastic year. Hall of Fame Village offers an unparalleled backdrop for the event, providing the perfect setting for fantasy football enthusiasts to come together and celebrate their passion.”
Key highlights of the event include the introduction of Sports Betting Saturday, Presented by Underdog Fantasy, offering a unique opportunity to learn strategies and techniques to help enhance your experience in the sports betting world. Expert panels and workshops will be a focal point, delivering valuable insights and strategies from esteemed names in the sports betting and fantasy football industry. Sports Betting Saturday is committed to promoting responsible gaming practices and recognizing the importance of maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all participants. With dedicated sessions led by experts and sports gaming representatives, attendees will gain comprehensive insights into responsible gaming measures, including strategies for setting limits, recognizing problem gambling behaviors, and accessing support resources.
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