Daily Fantasy Sports
Assessing the esports DFS opportunity in the US
Oliver Niner, Head of B2B says that DFS remains a compelling vertical with huge growth potential especially if operators expand their offering into esports
The roll out of legal online and mobile sports betting across US states has presented a significant opportunity for operators, but the market has proved harder to crack than many anticipated.
The cost of customer acquisition is skyrocketing, building brand equity is taking much longer than expected, and there’s been a slowdown in new states embracing regulation and licensing.
This has led to a run of operators exiting the market as the numbers simply don’t add up.
But while this is happening, the daily fantasy sports space continues to thrive and remains a compelling opportunity for operators.
DFS has a unique legal standing in many states where sports betting is still restricted, allowing operators to reach audiences they otherwise couldn’t.
It also fosters deeper engagement with those who play – players aren’t just betting on outcomes; they’re actively managing lineups and pitting their knowledge and skills against others.
This is the perfect combination for retention and loyalty – something sportsbooks struggle to achieve with players easily swayed to join another brand simply because of a generous free bets offer.
There’s also an untapped opportunity in bringing the worlds of esports and daily fantasy sports together, allowing operators to connect with an entirely new audience.
Until now, traditional DFS brands have focused on the major sports, but the younger, digital-native audiences are more interested in esports such as CS2 and LoL than the NFL.
Why the DFS model works:
Before discussing how operators can get in on the esports DFS action, it’s important to understand why the DFS model works so well in the US, especially for those looking to diversify their offering.
The first is regulatory accessibility. DFS is legal in more states than traditional sports betting, allowing operators to enter markets where sportsbook licensing is unavailable or complex.
DFS has much lower acquisition costs while serving as a gateway to paid gaming. It often attracts a younger, more engaged audience at a lower CPA compared to traditional sports betting.
Strong user retention is another upside. Unlike one-off bets, DFS players return regularly to manage lineups, track stats and compete in contests, driving retention rates way beyond sports betting.
It’s also esports ready. Esports fans are highly engaged with player performance stats, making DFS a natural fit. It can then serve as an introduction to real-money esports betting when regulations allow.
The esports DFS opportunity to be explored:
DFS is an established and thriving vertical and while some operators offer esports within their proposition, it often lacks depth, innovation and mainstream adoption.
Esports fans are naturally engaged with stats, player performance metrics and in-game analytics, so easily segue into the DFS format.
Titles like LoL, CS2, Dota 2 and Valorant offer rich data sets that allow for creative and competitive fantasy formats, but most operators are yet to really get into it.
This leaves a major gap in the market and a huge opportunity for those who put together a compelling esports DFS product, especially as the popularity of esports betting grows.
What a compelling esports DFS product looks like:
The foundation of any esports DFS product is reliable, real-time data and the ability to provide a range of engaging contest formats.
This is where companies such as PandaScore come in. We provide operators with comprehensive esports data including player and team stats across all the major disciplines.
We supplement this with accurate odds and DFS pricing models, helping operators to set accurate and competitive odds – both our data and odds feeds are integrated seamlessly via API.
We also provide unrivalled market expertise; the team has years of experience powering esports betting which we leverage to ensure our partners can succeed with esports DFS.
In addition to markets and odds, players need to be able to access deep performance metrics so they can make informed decisions.
It’s also important for the operator to provide a smooth and intuitive experience via a seamless UX and mobile first approach to site and app navigation.
The diversity of the contests offered needs to be considered, too. This includes classic salary cap formats as well as pick’em games and more.
It goes without saying that social interaction needs to be baked into the experience through features such as leaderboards, private leagues and head-to-head challenges.
Operators need to get ahead in a rapidly evolving market:
The US sports betting and iCasino market is fast moving with the landscape constantly changing – just look at the conversation around sweepstakes casinos.
For me, DFS and especially esports DFS remain an underutilised growth channel that operators need to take advantage of.
As esports betting gains traction – PandaScore recently surpassed €1bn in bets through its platform – DFS serves as a vital entry point through which operators can build brand recognition and engage a digital-first audience primed and ready to play.
This audience might not be familiar with real-money betting today, but by providing them with an experience they are familiar and comfortable with, they can become the bettors of tomorrow.
At PandaScore, we are here to help operators capitalise on this opportunity with best-in-class data, pricing models and strategic support.
For operators, this means the numbers will always add up when it comes to esports daily fantasy sports.
The post Assessing the esports DFS opportunity in the US appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Acquisitions/Merger
FantasySpin and FastDraft Announce Merger to Create the Ultimate Fantasy Sports Platform
FantasySpin, a premier Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operator, and FastDraft, the rapidly growing Best Ball platform, announced a corporate merger. The strategic combination will create a fantasy sports powerhouse offering sports fans an unparalleled, all-encompassing fantasy experience.
FantasySpin and FastDraft booked over $1M in contest entries in the first year. The stage is now set for massive 2026/2027 growth as FantasySpin contests will be available to an expanded population of 330 million people across 38 U.S. states and Canada.
DFS Innovation Leader
FantasySpin, renowned for its groundbreaking contributions to the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) industry, strengthens its market position with this merger. The company’s patented DFS products gamify the process of building fantasy lineups to provide immediate gratification. FantasySpin users leverage skill and strategy to build teams in a thrilling, slots-like experience—sitting at the intersection of iGaming and fantasy sports. The merger reinforces FantasySpin’s commitment to delivering hyper-engaging user experiences and fostering innovation within the DFS space.
“This merger is a monumental step forward for the fantasy sports industry. Our community loves the immediate gratification of DFS, and we recognize the explosive popularity of the Best Ball format. By joining forces with FastDraft, we are giving more than 60 million fantasy gamers in North America the ultimate toolkit to play how they want and when they want, fast,” said Steve “Dakota” Happas, CEO of FantasySpin.
Revolutionizing Best Ball
FastDraft’s proprietary, user-friendly best ball format allows drafts to finish in under five minutes. The platform eliminates the need for constant in-season roster management, waivers, and trades. The merger allows FastDraft to instantly expand its NFL products to the NBA, PGA, MLB, NHL, and other major sports. With the addition of FantasySpin DFS contests, FastDraft users may now enjoy sweating the action across all major professional sports 365 days a year.
According to FastDraft founder Matt Kelley, the partnership is a game-changer for fantasy sports players around the world.
“These two brands teaming up is excellent news for fantasy players worldwide, and I’m thrilled to witness the exciting possibilities that lie ahead as we unite the best daily and season-long fantasy formats on the planet,” said Kelley.
A Unified Platform Vision
The merger signifies a milestone as FantasySpin looks to integrate its engaging free-to-play and real-money game formats across 5 major professional sports, as well as college football and basketball, into FastDraft’s full suite of NFL fantasy sports contest formats. Users will soon be able to deposit and play seamlessly between platforms, marking a significant advancement in fantasy sports offerings. Anticipated integrations include:
• New DFS Markets: 86% of the U.S. population will have access to FantasySpin’s slots-meets-daily fantasy contests.
• Expanded Contest Optionality: Users will have a robust suite of gamified DFS experiences and rapid Best Ball draft formats across major sports.
• Unified Wallet System: A single account and shared bankroll to manage funds across all game types.
• Shared Promotions and Loyalty Rewards: Earn special prizes, promo funds and free-play bonuses regardless of which format you choose to play.
“The sports gaming ecosystem is heading toward a significant consolidation — operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, Underdog, and Betr are all competing for the same users, many of whom already have accounts across every platform, and the rise of prediction markets (Kalshi, Robinhood) has only accelerated that disruption and pressure on traditional operators. The companies that survive will be those who find ways to differentiate their product or merge with others, and we built FantasySpin around a truly unique experience — where skill meets thrill — precisely for that reason,” said Steve “Dakota” Happas, CEO of FantasySpin.
The post FantasySpin and FastDraft Announce Merger to Create the Ultimate Fantasy Sports Platform appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and PrizePicks, a leading sports entertainment operator in North America, announced a multi-year partnership, making PrizePicks an official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner of the NBA. The partnership will expand fan engagement through innovative experiences and content.
Through the league partnership, PrizePicks will integrate NBA intellectual property across its daily fantasy and free-to-play products and marketing initiatives. This includes the use of NBA League, collective NBA Team, and NBA Event marks across approved digital platforms, including the PrizePicks app and website. The partnership was facilitated by KLUTCH Sports Group’s Brand Consulting and Sports and Brand Insights divisions.
“This partnership with the NBA marks an important milestone for PrizePicks as we continue to grow alongside one of the most iconic leagues in sports. Basketball has always been at the heart of our brand, and this collaboration reflects our deep roots in the game. Our focus has always been on delivering fun and responsible experiences, and working with the NBA allows us to bring that commitment to fans through innovative integrations that enhance how they engage with the game,” said Mike Ybarra, CEO of PrizePicks.
“PrizePicks has established itself as a leader in daily fantasy sports through innovation and a strong focus on the fan. We’re excited to collaborate with PrizePicks to enhance the NBA fan experience by combining the league’s unmatched moments with PrizePicks’ interactive innovation, creating new and engaging ways for fans to connect with the game,” said Eric Rimsky, Head of Domestic Fantasy at NBA.
The agreement also enables PrizePicks to execute promotional campaigns and participate in co-marketing efforts across NBA digital and media platforms. Additionally, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) will grant PrizePicks the ability to use images of multiple NBA players across its marketing, content, and promotional initiatives.
As PrizePicks continues to expand its national footprint, the company remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of compliance, integrity, and Responsible Gaming. In 2025, PrizePicks earned iCAP accreditation from the National Council on Problem Gambling, becoming the first and only fantasy sports operator to receive this certification.
The post PrizePicks Becomes Official Daily Fantasy Partner of NBA appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Atlas World Sports, the sports betting platform that aggregates odds and data from more than 20 sportsbooks into a single app, has launched AtlasDFS, its new daily fantasy sports product.
Atlas World Sports has built its reputation as the Expedia of sports betting — a single app where users can compare odds, bonus offers, and bet types across regulated sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, BetMGM, and Hard Rock Bet. AtlasDFS adds a full daily fantasy experience to that ecosystem, giving users one place to research, compare, and compete.
AtlasDFS is live now with the NBA and will expand to the PGA Tour and NHL in Q2, MLB in July, and the NFL this fall. The site uses a Pick’em format in which users select More or Less on stat projections for two to six players per entry. The platform grew out of a strategic acquisition in October 2024 and has since been rebuilt and integrated into the broader Atlas ecosystem alongside live scores, stats, expert analysis, and predictive AI.
“Our goal is to build a next-generation fantasy sports experience that blends everything fans love about daily fantasy with the real-time power of sports betting insights,” said Kevin Koeppel, Director of Product at Atlas World Sports.
Koeppel, who previously founded the DFS product No House Advantage, which later transitioned to Betr, was brought on to head Atlas World Sports’ expanding fantasy division.
“Adding AtlasDFS completes the picture for our users. Whether you’re shopping for the best line, tracking live stats, or building a daily fantasy lineup, you can do all of it with Atlas. That’s what we’ve been working toward,” said Robert Kraft, CEO and Co-Founder of Atlas World Sports.
AtlasDFS is accessible through the Atlas World Sports app and at AtlasDFS.com.
The post Atlas World Sports Launches its New DFS Product, AtlasDFS appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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