FanDuel has launched FanDuel Picks, a peer-to-peer pick’em game that resembles parlay-style sports betting.
FanDuel has expanded its reach in daily fantasy sports with the launch of FanDuel Picks, a peer-to-peer pick’em game that closely resembles parlay-style sports betting.
The product became available Thursday (28 August), just ahead of the start of the autumn NFL season.
FanDuel Picks is designed to appeal to sports fans in states where the company does not operate a sportsbook. The format mirrors offerings from PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy, which pioneered similar products.
Participants build entries by selecting between three and six players, then predicting whether each will go “more” or “less” than an assigned stat projection, such as passing yards, rushing totals, or touchdowns.
FanDuel Picks GM Rob Cullen said: “Just in time for NFL season, we are excited to bring fans a social way to engage with the sports and athletes they love with the launch of FanDuel Picks. The ‘more’ or ‘less’ selection model offers a streamlined fantasy sports experience, and we look forward to offering our customers another way to interact with games this season.”
Payouts are determined by pooled entry fees, with the possibility of returns reaching up to 1,000 times the original stake.
The setup intentionally evokes the mechanics of Same Game Parlays, which have become ubiquitous and highly profitable for sportsbooks in regulated markets.
FanPicks is currently available in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.
Fantasy sports in the firing line
The move comes in response to a shifting regulatory landscape. Over the past two years, more than a dozen state regulators have scrutinised player-prop fantasy contests, arguing that house-based pick’em formats were effectively unlicensed sports betting.
In turn, operators like PrizePicks and Underdog transitioned to peer-to-peer structures, where users compete against one another rather than the house.
That adjustment alleviated many regulatory concerns and allowed both companies to expand operations in additional states, though debates over the classification of daily fantasy sports remain unresolved in major jurisdictions such as California.
The change also provided an impetus for established sportsbook operators to adapt their own offerings. DraftKings rolled out a peer-to-peer pick’em product in late 2023, setting a precedent for FanDuel’s entry.
By launching ahead of football season, FanDuel is positioning itself to capture demand from players who want betting-style experiences in non-wagering states.
Industry analysts note that pick’em fantasy contests highlight a nuance in how regulators juxtapose fantasy sports and gambling. While the contests avoid direct competition against the house, their resemblance to parlays may continue to elicit scrutiny.
For now, however, FanDuel’s move signals confidence that the peer-to-peer paradigm can withstand legal challenges while broadening the company’s footprint in the US market.