Atlanta-based PrizePicks has rapidly risen in popularity as a Daily Fantasy Sports platform. Its unique player projections format has been a differentiator in an industry that includes DFS giants DraftKings and FanDuel, attracting both experienced fantasy players and beginners.
However, with rapid growth often comes scrutiny, and some have argued that parlay prop bets on players are no different from sports betting, which is currently illegal in Georgia. Despite the debate, PrizePicks continues to accumulate active users and establish partnerships with professional sports teams.
PrizePicks’ version firmly inside of fantasy sporting laws, govt says
PlayGeorgia spoke with PrizePicks’ Head of Business Relations & Market Intelligence, Steven Kerstein, who recognized PrizePicks’ potential and the opportunity to disrupt the DFS space in the fantasy gaming industry.
“Many legacy DFS companies have become complacent with a lack of competition. As a result, there have been attempts to question the legitimacy of our contests,” Kerstein said. “From our perspective, the entire fantasy sports community owes them thanks because they paved the way starting last year and legally proved that daily fantasy sports are skill-based competitions.”
Kerstein points out that one of the main drawbacks of legacy DFS platforms is the level of competition, with only a few professional fantasy players dominating the winnings.
“In the eyes of consumers, these large tournament-style DFS platforms are consistently dominated by professionals and continuously produce the same select group of winners,” Kerstein argues. “There was a gap in the DFS industry for the majority of fantasy sports players to effectively apply their knowledge and research of their favorite athletes on a daily, weekly, and seasonal basis.
That’s why PrizePicks structured its skill-based game within the boundaries of widely-accepted fantasy sports laws and guidelines to create a DFS product that modern, stat-centric sports fans can play and have a real chance to win.”
PrizePicks acierie partnerships together with Atlanta dispenses
PrizePicks unique twist on the popular Daily Fantasy format – allowing players to project single player stats instead of drafting a fantasy team – has contributed to its rise in popularity, especially in the Atlanta area. The company recently signed a deal to become the official DFS partner of Atlanta United, the MLS team’s first Daily Fantasy partnership.
“We’ve been fans of Atlanta United since their arrival in 2017, right around the time PrizePicks started. And with our mutual success since then, customers associate both brands with a fun and enjoyable customer experience. United has been a phenomenon, winning the MLS Cup in only their second season and consistently leading MLS in attendance.
Given the club’s popularity, its focus on southern hospitality, and the emergence of our own fantasy soccer product – especially after last year’s World Cup – it was about time these hometown brands formed a partnership. We are thrilled to be part of the in-venue experience at Mercedes Benz Stadium and look forward to supporting our hometown professional team,” said Steven Kerstein, Head of Company Relations & Market Intelligence at PrizePicks.
Working with Atlanta United means another Atlanta-based company is in the mix, as PrizePicks has also renewed its partnership with the Braves. The initial partnership was forged during the 2020 season.
Significant sports groups a outstanding resource for Atlanta legislators
With gambling legislation once again dying in the Georgia Legislature, Kerstein sees major league sports organizations such as the Braves and United as important influencers in the political wrangling to eventually make sports betting a reality in the state.
“All of Georgia’s major sports teams can be a great resource to the Legislature as they are involved in gambling and fantasy sports. Their insights can help legislators better understand the differences between these arenas. A better-informed Legislature can enact well-informed laws,” Kerstein said.
All of Atlanta’s major sports franchises have actively lobbied for legal sports betting in the state, which so far has proven unsuccessful.
Photo by PlayGeorgia.
Billings Breazeale is a freelance reporter specializing in sports, companies, and sporting events. A native of the Atlanta area who now resides in Orlando, Florida, Carter managed to graduate from the University or College of Port Orange, Florida. Since 2018, he has been covering the Atlanta Falcons for SBNation’s i9000 site, The Special Alcoholic.
