Underdog Walks Away From Missouri Sports Betting

Underdog has ditched its Missouri sports betting license to pursue prediction markets.

The intensifying war between state gaming regulators and prediction market operators has seen another big brand switch allegiance.

Follows FanDuel and DraftKings’ Nevada Pivot

Just two weeks after FanDuel and DraftKings quit their Nevada gambling licenses to pursue prediction markets there instead, Underdog has gone the same route in Missouri.

The suddenness of the long-established daily fantasy sports (DFS) brand’s decision to scrap its Missouri sports betting license days before the market launches is significant enough.

Heavy Advertising Before Abrupt Exit

That Underdog had spent “heavily” on advertising its sports betting launch after the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) awarded it and eight others licenses last month must make its abrupt exit sting even more for the regulator.

MGC Reaction and Regulatory Concerns

The MGC Executive Director Mike Leara even avoided using the p-word when confirming Underdog’s departure, stating: “They have decided to go to that market.”

“It’s not regulated at any level compared to what traditional sports betting is regulated, and obviously, there’s no tax on it.”

Shift Into Prediction Markets and CFDs

Underdog branched out into prediction markets, or Contracts for Difference (CFDs), in September via a Crypto.com partnership.

DFS License Remains in Good Standing

According to Covers.com, an MGC spokesperson said Underdog’s DFS operator license remained “in good standing” but that it had withdrawn its sports betting license, leaving just eight operators to launch in Missouri on Monday.