Fantasy Sports
Denver Broncos and FanDuel Group announce multi-year legalized sports betting & daily fantasy partnership
The Denver Broncos and FanDuel Group announced on Monday a multi-year partnership, making FanDuel an official sports betting partner and an official daily fantasy partner of the Broncos.
The deal is the first sports betting partnership announced for an NFL team since the National Football League opened the category this May.
The partnership gives FanDuel access to official Broncos marks and logos to use across FanDuel’s sports betting and daily fantasy sports offerings in Colorado. The agreement also grants FanDuel access to robust marketing assets ranging from in-stadium signage to radio, television and digital advertising to promote its sports betting offerings directly to fans.
As part of the partnership, FanDuel and the Broncos will also offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences and unique offers for FanDuel customers.
“Colorado is home to a passionate sports fan base and independent spirit, and, together with the Broncos, we’re going to take the fan experience in Colorado to the next level,” FanDuel Group CMO Mike Raffensperger said. “With the NFL season just around the corner, partnering with an innovative organization like the Denver Broncos allows us to offer engaging fan experiences both inside and outside the stadium and access to unique betting promotions and content.”
“FanDuel has built a strong reputation as a premier gaming destination for sports fans,” Denver Broncos Chief Commercial Officer Mac Freeman said. “The ways they smartly reach people through engaging and entertaining content is in line with the Broncos’ innovative thinking when connecting with our fans.
“With FanDuel’s successful launch into Colorado earlier in May, we believe Broncos fans will enjoy FanDuel’s trusted mobile sports betting and daily fantasy platforms.”
The announcement comes on the heels of FanDuel Group’s launch of its industry-leading FanDuel Sportsbook online and mobile experience in Colorado in partnership with Twin River Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:TRWH) and Golden Gates Casino Black Hawk. FanDuel’s is best-in-class online sports betting experience is currently available to sports fans in the Centennial State who can now place wagers across professional football, basketball, hockey baseball, golf, MMA, soccer, NASCAR, darts and tennis with a multitude of betting and payment options available.
About FanDuel Group:
FanDuel Group is an innovative sports-tech entertainment company that is changing the way consumers engage with their favorite sports, teams, and leagues. The premier gaming destination in the United States, FanDuel Group consists of a portfolio of leading brands across gaming, sports betting, daily fantasy sports, advance-deposit wagering, and TV/media, including FanDuel, FOX Bet, Betfair US, and TVG. FanDuel Group has a presence across 45 states and 8.5 million customers. The company is based in New York with offices in California, New Jersey, Florida, Oregon, Canada, and Scotland. FanDuel Group is a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment plc, a leading international sports betting and gaming operator and a constituent of the FTSE 100 index of the London Stock Exchange.
Fantasy Sports
Will Booth: blending the best of fantasy and sports with PickāEm Player Props
For those that might not know, can you give us a brief overview of PickāEm Player Props?
In simple terms, the new PickāEm Player Props product from WA.Technology is almost like a hybrid between fantasy sports and sports betting. In the same vein as traditional player props products that you see in traditional sports, players can select markets on individual players ā we have just taken that model and elevated it.
During the game, players can make between two and six bet selections. For example, will Erling Haaland score more or less than 2.5 shots? The number of bet selections the player makes then determines their multiplier. By allowing bettors to unleash their sporting knowledge and provide engaging games for them to play, we are helping our operator partners to not only engage with a wider player base but also to fuel long-term retention. It really is a one-of-a-kind product and one weāre incredibly excited about. Itās already proving to be a top performer in LatAm.
Why has now been the right time to unveil PickāEm Player Props?
Over the last few years, weāve seen significant growth in the number of player proposition products. There are several reasons for that. Sports fans have shown a growing affinity for individual players rather than a team. They follow players on social media and engage with content featuring that player.
This reflects the wider trend weāre seeing: the new generation of fans is more in love with the players than the team itself. A great example of this is both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Bettors worldwide would wager on either of those players and engage with their content regardless of which team they played for or what club they supported.
The appetite for player-driven betting is increasing dramatically, resulting in a greater demand for products specifically tailored to individual athletes.
With more traditional sportsbooks, however, weāve found that there isnāt as much depth of product regarding player propositions ā aside from goal scorer markets. We wanted to change that ā we wanted to deliver a fun, engaging product that helps build a sense of community among players.
Since PickāEm Player Props is also a hybrid of fantasy and sports, it can act as an attractive tool to facilitate new market entries, as fantasy sports are not regulated like sportsbooks or iGaming. Take the US for example. In most states, operators do not need a licence to offer a fantasy sports product. This is the case for many markets around the world, too. I believe this will be an attractive proposition for operators looking to expand their international footprint, and as a truly global provider, weāre here to make that happen.
In your view, what differentiates WA.Technologyās PickāEm Player Props from other player props products on the market?
Currently, we are the only B2B provider to offer a player propositions product that combines sports and fantasy. A handful of companies in the US offer something similar, but they are all B2C companies ā we are bringing something totally unique to the B2B space.
Fantasy Sports have always been popular in the US. But over the last 18 months, weāve seen a meteoric rise in the demand for player proposition markets; we wanted to develop a product that caters to that growth in demand and delivers something unique for our partners.
For other player props products on the market, something that is worth noting is that the design and UX are doing little to engage Millennial/Gen Z bettors. This audience demands a streamlined UX that is easy to use. Our PickāEm version has been specifically designed with this demographic in mind, although we have been careful not to disenfranchise other age groups. We have kept the design sleek, streamlined and easy to use to deliver that. Itās extremely well-designed compared to what you might see in a more traditional sportsbook.
The game is straightforward to understand because we have fixed multipliers. This decision differentiates us from more traditional products, where the multipliers vary depending on how many bets you place. It also makes the product much more accessible for players who might otherwise not be familiar with fantasy or player props.
Another major defining factor is that we have ensured players can add multiple bets from different markets together. On most sports betting sites out there, you cannot combine player props markets. You couldnāt, for example, have a bet slip combining Erling Haaland’s Over/Under Shots and Kevin De Bruyneās Shots on Target. We know this is frustrating for many bettors. We wanted to eliminate that barrier and elevate sports fans’ experience.
How does the level of data granularity influence the design and effectiveness of player proposition betting products, particularly in terms of player engagement and personalised betting options?
We are very fortunate that the data feed we use for our player props markets is the best. We have a wide range of insights and data analytics available, giving us an edge over other companies within the space ā this is a serious differentiator.
The enhanced data range means we can deliver many more bespoke, personalised betting options to players while also getting more granular with the markets we can offer.
Our Managed Services Team, which oversees all things trading, also closely monitors the markets that are most popular with players. For example, if we see an influx in bets on āshots on targetā, we know how to create more promotions around this particular market. We can tailor the CMS to engage better with players and create a more personalised experience.
Players can also āfavouriteā particular players and clubs. Any market featuring that player will automatically appear when the PickāEm Player Props application loads up.
Are there any markets where you believe PickāEm Player Props will prove to be particularly popular? If so, why?
In all honesty, I canāt think of a market where this wonāt be popular! Regions such as LatAm present an enormous opportunity for the growth of player proposition markets. I believe we can really plug a gap in the products currently offered to bettors.
Across the continent, weāve seen players show a real passion for player-focused markets, and weāre here to capitalise on that. In Brazil, for example, if we were to create markets on Neymar, Iād anticipate this would gain much traction!
The real selling point for PickāEm Player Props here is that we offer an extensive range of sports and markets that cater to a broad audience ā but within that, we can personalise sports and bet selections not to overwhelm the player. Iād expect that markets on football will perform exceptionally well across Africa and LatAm, while countries such as South Africa may have a stronger preference for Rugby or Cricket.
Ultimately, itās about understanding the unique preferences of players within each jurisdiction our partners operate in and tailoring the product accordingly. With teams based in various markets worldwide, we can get to grips with the local knowledge and fully understand what resonates with bettors.
In your view, what are some of the factors behind the growth of player props products in the last 12 months?Ā Ā
Most definitely shows how sports media companies are incorporating more player-specific content into their roster. This already has a huge impact, and I canāt see it changing anytime soon.
Whether itās interviews with specific players, post-match analytics on performance or even the inherent growth of social media, the balance is undoubtedly tipping more towards the player rather than the team.
Personalisation will also have a considerable knock-on effect on the growth of player propositions. Bettors want more bespoke offers, specific bet suggestions and more instant content tailored to their unique playing habits. With a product like PickāEm Player Props, you can personalise that betting experience to your heartās content.
It also becomes much easier for sportsbooks to align with a specific userās interests when we deliver unmatched data analytics and levels of personalisation that are available via WA.Technologyās product suite.
In short, PickāEm Player Props gives operators the tools they need to create wide-ranging engagement opportunities without sticking to the rigid sporting calendar, where sometimes you might have to wait several days between a game. By incorporating fantasy sports, we can deliver round-the-clock content much faster, therefore meeting the demands of players. If you want to find out more ā make sure to stop by Stand 1095 at SiGMA!
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 companyās hyperactive user base and mobile development capabilities.
RotoUnderworldās 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.
āRotoUnderworld 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,ā said Matthew Kelley, founder of RotoUnderworld and gameplay architect of FastDraft.
āOur 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. FastDraftās streamlined format makes it easy to engage with the app and significantly increases user spend per session,ā 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 Pickāem 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 Pickāem 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 Pickāem lineups sell on the secondary market.
āThis 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,ā said WagerWire Co-Founder and CEO Zach Doctor.
The newly launched fantasy marketplace is the latest addition to the growing technology portfolio of WagerWireās 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.
āIāve been playing fantasy for years, but being able to sell my DFS lineups is game-changing. Iām 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,ā said Braiden Payne, RealTime Fantasy Sports veteran user.
WagerWire was recently shortlisted for two awards at SBC North America ā Rising Star of the Year and Affiliate of the Year, in addition to EGRās Rising Star of the Year and Hashtag Sportās Best X Presence award.
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