After receiving a cease-and-desist order from the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) in February, Underdog Fantasy confirmed Friday it's making a comeback in the Sunflower State.
The Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) company will operate under a new peer-to-peer format that, “complies with the spirit of Kansas law,” according to KRGC director of security, Don Brownlee.
“We work closely with the Racing and Gaming Commission, who conducted a thorough review and concluded our peer-to-peer Champions product can be offered in Kansas,” added Stacie Stern, Underdog’s Senior VP of Government Affairs and Partnerships. “The Commission has confirmed we are in good standing in the state, and we look forward to offering contests again to Kansas sports fans.”
Stern explained that the company adjusts its game formats to meet differing regulatory requirements. According to Underdog Fantasy’s website, Kansas users will be able to participate in Pick ‘em and Draft contests.
“We make sure our games meet the differing standards in every state, which is why you see different products and game types in states across the country,” she said.
Illegal operations
In Sept. 2023, Kansas gaming regulators described Underdog Fantasy and other DFS sites as “illegal operations” since they accepted wagers but did not follow the licensing and taxation rules required for regulated sportsbooks.
However, because the Champions product is a peer-to-peer game rather than player vs. operator, UnderDog claims it differs from traditional Kansas sports betting options.
“We can confirm that Champions, as currently configured, will not face regulatory action by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission,” commented Brownlee this month. “We can further confirm that since Underdog discontinued its Pick ’em game (against the house) in Kansas in November of 2023, that Underdog is not currently the target of any administrative, civil or criminal investigation by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission.”
What is Champions?
In Underdog’s Champions game, users can create a roster of two to eight athletes and predict whether their performance will be “Over” or “Under” a given total. Before entering, players can see details such as the entry fee, scoring criteria, and available prizes.
“Winning depends on how all of the athletes in the roster perform based upon the participant’s projection relative to other participants’ projections for their entries,” says the Underdog Fantasy website. “The more selections you get right versus other participants, the more you are likely to win.”
About Underdog Fantasy
Founded in 2020 in Brooklyn, New York, Underdog Fantasy is a mobile DFS platform. The platform is available in nearly every U.S. state and all Canadian provinces and territories except for Ontario.
Earlier this year, Underdog returned to Florida with peer-to-peer games after receiving a cease-and-desist order last year. The company launched Underdog Sportsbook in March, which is available exclusively in North Carolina.
