Daily Fantasy Sports operator PrizePicks has announced plans to open a brand new headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional plans to dramatically expand its workforce as well.
The DFS organization plans to add 1,000 new jobs over the next seven years and hire across sectors, including software engineers, analysts, and marketers, according to a report by the Associated Press.
“Atlanta has always been our home, where we are redefining mobile sports entertainment,” said Adam Wexler, PrizePicks co-founder and CEO via the release. “This move to Star Metals will help us create more world-class, high-skilled and high-wage jobs in our great city while we deepen our connections across the community."
Founded in Atlanta, PrizePicks has grown exponentially since its founding a decade ago, and while a prominent player in the world of fantasy sports, has found itself at something of a crossroads with increased scrutiny surrounding the relationship between sports betting and DFS.
Notably Georgia sports betting remains illegal, as legislation aimed at legalizing it failed in the state’s legislature last month. The role of daily fantasy, and its classification as a game of skill, has kept its role relatively stable, though discussions on its legality remain an ongoing subject of concern.
“Georgia has a long history of legalized skill games operating in the state and PrizePicks is a nationally recognized game of skill,” PrizePicks spokesperson Elisa Richardson told AP.
In the meantime, however, PrizePicks remains legal in 32 states and Canada and remains poised to continue its upward trajectory.
“Georgia continues to be a driver of tech growth and innovation, attracting innovative companies with its unique mix of talent and infrastructure,” said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said of the influx of investment by PrizePicks, expected to be upwards of $25 million.
“Today’s announcement is a reminder of our strength in both welcoming new projects as well as creating an atmosphere where existing businesses can expand and thrive. I look forward to seeing the impact of these thousand jobs on the Atlanta community.”
PrizePicks continues striking deals
While the latest deal struck by PrizePicks with the state of Georgia is expected to only further expand the rapidly growing DFS giant, it’s far from the first agreement they’ve come to with legislative branches across the U.S., many of which haven’t been nearly as favorable.
Last month, the Massachusetts regulators cracked down on PrizePicks – among other DFS operators in the state – as the pair reached an agreement to remove fee-based, pick’em-style games, and instead only offer peer-to-peer Arena-style games.
That decision also came in the wake of a settlement reached with New York regulators back in February which claimed the site was operating illegally in their state without a license. Other states such as Michigan and Florida have also followed suit in their crackdowns, operating under the belief that fantasy operators mimicked sportsbooks by functionally offering prop bets and paid games.
"Our team is pleased to have reached a resolution with the Gaming Commission and we look forward to continuing our work with the state to modernize New York's daily fantasy sports laws," a spokesperson told ESPN in February in a statement. "As safer, skill-based DFS contests like ours rise in popularity, we will work constructively with policymakers on thoughtful legislation that allows New Yorkers to play the contests they love, ensure strong consumer safeguards, and generates tax revenue for the state."
