Despite some rocky mandates in several states earlier this year, the Daily Fantasy Sports industry charges on with the announcement that Betr and Dabble have joined the Coalition for Fantasy Sports (CFS).
The Coalition, formed in 2022 to be a leading advocate for fantasy sports enthusiasts across the country, announced its newest members Wednesday.
“The Coalition has served as an effective advocate for consumer choice and fairness in the fantasy marketplace and we’re happy to help further that advocacy,” said Betr founder and CEO Joey Levy. “We support their mission and hope our addition will increase the weight of the Coalition’s voice.”
Levy co-founded Betr with Jake Paul in 2022. Their company launched its real money fantasy sports product, Betr Picks, ahead of the 2023 NFL season, and recently announced new market access deals for online sportsbook and casino in Pennsylvania and for online sportsbook in Colorado and Kentucky.
Dabble is a rising star in the DFS arena for bringing a social twist to the experience. Dabble’s platform allows users to follow fellow users and to replicate other users’ picks. The brand was founded in Australia in 2020 and has been operating in the U.S. since 2023.
“As we continue to expand our presence in the DFS market, we recognize the importance of collaboration and collective action in advancing the interests of fantasy sports enthusiasts,” said Dabble CEO Tom Rundle. “We look forward to working closely with PrizePicks, Betr, and Underdog in this partnership and leveraging our expertise to drive positive change within the industry.”
New direction
The CFS recently named JT Foley as its first executive director, announcing the appointment on June 4.
Foley is a well-respected gaming industry veteran who previously spent 17 years with the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, most recently as its vice president of government relations.
“We will work with member companies to create the laws we need to grow this industry,” Foley said in the CFS’ announcement. “Our member companies are leading on consumer protections and eager to share what we know with emerging DFS providers so that we can establish and preserve a safe and legal ecosystem.”
Course correction
The expansion of the CFS comes at a crucial time for a DFS industry that’s been navigating choppy regulatory waters.
PrizePicks returned to Florida with PrizePicks Arena in late April, a peer-to-peer game that pits players against each other rather than the house and that is compliant with state laws.
PrizePicks, Underdog, and Betr all received cease-and-desist letters in September 2023 from the Florida Gaming Control Commission, alleging that these companies were operating illegally.
Arkansas and Kansas also cracked down on DFS operators earlier this year, so Foley will certainly have his work cut out for him lobbying on behalf of his four member companies.
