Daily fantasy sports (DFS) has been one of the fastest-growing gambling verticals in the US in recent years. Leading the charge are fantasy sports giants FanDuel and DraftKings, which together have amassed over 90% of the market share for DFS. As with many other things, what starts in the US tends to make its way to Europe and fantasy sports betting is no exception.

Playing fantasy sports in itself is nothing new to Europeans, neither is using it as a form of betting. However, in the past few years DFS have grown exceptionally fast, this is in part due to the fact that the US has legalized sports betting in several states. When this happened in 2018, Americans were already used to DFS and it was a natural transition to start betting on them. It wasn’t long before this transition caught the attention of European iGaming companies, amongst them is the affiliate company Leadstar Media, who sees the potential that DFS possess. 

– I can’t for certain say that what has happened in the US is the reason for the growth we see in Europe. But from what we’ve observed there’s been a growing interest in DFS since PASPA was overturned. In several of the European markets where we operate, the demand for DFS is higher than ever, especially in Sweden, says Jacob Ljunggren, Product Director at Leadstar Media

To capitalize on this, Leadstar Media have started to update their Swedish products to suit the new sports betting landscape.

– Our Swedish site Bettingstugan.se is currently undergoing an overhaul and one of the things we’re focusing on is fantasy sports betting.

As of today, only 2 companies with Swedish licenses offer fantasy betting. Both are powered by B2B fantasy sports provider Scout Gaming. A company which Ljunggren praises as the best product in the European market when it comes to DFS.

– The products that Scout Gaming offer are really solid and the number of sports you can play on their platform are constantly increasing showing that they are really invested in what many people believe is the future of iGaming. However there are still some areas that can be improved before they are comparable to FanDuel and DraftKings, says Ljunggren.

Scout Gaming Group were quick to adapt their offerings when all major sports came to a halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic, launching CSGO fantasy. 

What do you think the future is for DFS betting?

– The potential in this segment is huge. Fantasy sports are about more than just betting, they offer a form of entertainment that we’re not used to. I think this is one of the biggest realisations our industry is going to see in the future. Betting is all about entertainment, and the iGaming industry is competing for people’s attention with other sources of entertainment such as Netflix and video games. Fantasy sports marries betting and entertainment perfectly, as you aren’t playing against the bookmaker but against other players. Also, fantasy sports appeal to a broader audience that wouldn’t normally place bets, says Ljunggren

Good Gamer Corp., a Daily Fantasy Sports and Esports platform, is pleased to announce the official launch of its GoodGamer Fantasy Gaming App.

GoodGamer is India’s first Daily Fantasy Sports and true Esports gaming platform. It will launch with cricket and CS:GO and add Football (Soccer), Valorant, Dota 2, a Quiz game and Indian Rummy before 2021. GoodGamer is the first to offer several other features, including prop fantasy contests, player injury reports, player injury alerts, an AI-based lineup optimizer, and private contests where the contest creators can earn a commission for creating and managing the contests.

In addition to the official launch, GoodGamer has signed an advertising agreement with Disney+ Hotstar, the official live streaming platform for all premium sports in India, including Cricket. GoodGamer will be present as an advertiser on the biggest T20 League tournament that begins in September in UAE. Disney+ Hotstar is India’s largest premium streaming platform that has changed the way Indians watch their entertainment – from their favourite TV shows and movies to sporting extravaganzas.

GoodGamer has signed international bowler’s, Umesh Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav as the Company’s brand influencers for the festive season to mark the return of cricket. Umesh Yadav is an Indian cricketer with 10 years of professional experience playing for multiple domestic, T20 league and national teams. He was the highest wicket-taker for India in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Yadav also plays for the national team as well as multiple domestic franchise teams.

“India and Cricket represent an incredible opportunity for GoodGamer. With a cricket fan base reaching 900 million users, the return of franchise cricket on Disney + Hotstar is the perfect place and time for launching our app. Our app is also primed to gain access to India’s 350 million mobile gamers with CS:GO and our future launch of Valorant, Dota 2 and Freefire, The demographics in India couldn’t be better aligned with the unique sports and Esports focus of our Daily Fantasy app,” said GoodGamer CEO Charles Creighton. “We have planned to launch in the region for some time, but doing so just in time for this tournament is the icing on the cake for us. With all eyes on cricket through to the Final Match in November, our unique features will bring an attractive alternative to Indian DFS fans – fans we can keep engaged throughout the year with our year-round calendar of Esports & traditional sports contests, quiz games, and more.”

GoodGamer’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Good Gamer India Private Limited is located in Bangalore, India to manage operations, marketing and customer service led by former Vancouverite Ravi Nagarajachar, Vice President of Operations.

“Having lived in Vancouver, Canada, and now back in my native Bangalore, it’s exciting for me to be working with the team at GoodGamer to bring this app to Indian sports and Esports fans,” said Ravi Nagarajachar. “We’ve developed a fantastic relationship with leading Esports tournament organizers and marketing groups such as Skyesports of Chennai, one of the top Esports tournament organizers and casters in India. Skyesports will be leveraging their million+ followers, influencer contacts, and its 50 million users reach on Youtube to give us that rocket fuel for our launch here. So many cricket fans also love Esports, this is a perfect fit that makes sense.”

GoodGamer is offering a deposit bonus for every deposit a player makes to enter a DFS contest. Users can earn additional money by signing up for GoodGamer’s Refer-a-Friend program. The Refer-a-Friend program allows a user to earn up to ₹100 Cash Bonus for each referral and a 5% Cash Bonus on a friend’s deposit up to a ₹1000 Cash Bonus. The more friends a player refers to play in a real money contest, the larger bonus. Users may register after they download the app on GoodGamer.in.

SOURCE Good Gamer Corp

Footstock, the unique player trading and fantasy football platform, has signed the hugely popular ex-player and broadcaster Chris Kamara.

Footie legend ‘Kammy’ will front the brand for the 2020/21 season, with a range of marketing and PR activations planned to help boost Footstock’s awareness and UK customer base.

Kammy will voiceover Footstock’s upcoming debut national radio advertising campaign on talkSPORT. He will also share exclusive content and his own Footstock recommendations with his heavily-engaged 1.7m Twitter following.

Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, Footstock has built its player pool exponentially since launching in April 2019.

Kammy said: “Ever since gaining my lucky break being spotted playing for the Royal Navy, I’ve always embraced life’s opportunities and working with Footstock is another exciting prospect.

“The game allows football followers to utilise their knowledge in a fun and responsible way. I can’t wait to test my competitive spirit on the platform and work with the Footstock team to entertain our loyal and growing userbase.”

The football betting app allows users to buy and sell player cards – stocks in Premier League stars – for real money, with the aim of locking in a profit.  A player’s real-life performances on the pitch improves their in-game stats on Footstock, dictating their price and scarcity accordingly. Lucky dip-style player packs are also available to buy, offering users the chance to win random players.

Once a collection of players has been assembled, a selection of games, including daily fantasy contests based on real-life fixtures and Stat Roulette, can be played to win prize pots and other user’s cards. New for the 2020/21 season, Footstock is offering a £100k free-to-enter fantasy contest.

James Copeland, Footstock CMO, said: “When we decided to bring in a brand ambassador for Footstock we had a shortlist featuring one name. We’re absolutely thrilled that Kammy wanted to join us too.

“As one of football’s most-loved presenters, there’s really no one else quite like Kammy. Whether he’s astutely analysing on the Goals on Sunday sofa or causing mayhem with his in-game reports, his thirst for the sport is unquenchable and his personality is a perfect fit for Footstock.”

Kammy has been integral to Sky Sports’ coverage for more than 20 years. The fan favourite’s versatile presenting style has seen him branch into mainstream TV and become a household name with appearances on shows ranging from Loose Women to Have I Got News for You to Emmerdale.

Having started out representing the Royal Navy, Kammy signed for Portsmouth in 1974 and played nearly 800 professional games. He was part of Leeds United’s 1989-90 second division-winning team and was a regular for Sheffield United and Middlesbrough in the top flight. After retiring he steered Bradford City from the third to the second tier as manager in 1996.