Pick’em fantasy operators are continuing to fight regulatory agencies across the U.S. that say their games aren’t legal while at the same time developing new games that more clearly stay within the rules.
Underdog Fantasy'announced Monday a new game called “Pick’em Champions,” in which customers play against each other, rather than the house. The new game launched Monday in Alabama, Mississippi, and Wyoming, and the company has plans to go live with it in Tennessee in the future. Of those four states, only Alabama does not currently offer legal sports betting.
“We've built Underdog to innovate and help sports fans increase their enjoyment with sports and that is exactly what we are doing with Pick'em Champions,” Jeremy Levine, founder and co-CEO of Underdog, said via press release. “I'm very excited for what comes next. As we continue to evolve Champions, I think it very well could become the best game we offer.”
PrizePicks last week tried something new as well, starting to offer free-to-play pick’em contests in Michigan, which earlier this fall banned paid pick’em contests.