Expanding into Daily Fantasy Sports from Betting

As the online sports betting industry becomes increasingly competitive, some companies, like Wunder Wins Casino are looking to expand into daily fantasy sports (DFS) as a way to diversify their offerings. DFS presents some attractive opportunities, but also requires careful consideration to succeed.

Understanding DFS

Before expanding into DFS, betting operators need to understand that it is fundamentally different from traditional sports betting and requires a separate operational approach. The most important differences are:

  • DFS contests run over shorter durations, normally a single day or week. This contrasts with betting markets that may run over a whole season.
  • DFS contests usually involve participants assembling imaginary teams from real players. Success relies on choosing players who perform well statistically.
  • DFS contests typically use a salary cap format for selecting teams. Popular players cost more to choose under the cap. This adds more strategy complexity.
  • So while DFS relies on real-life sports, it is a more statistical contest around picking winning fantasy teams rather than simply wagering on match outcomes. Companies will need to factor in these operational variations before launching DFS products.

Opportunities DFS Provides

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is redefining the landscape of online casino aviator by offering a variety of contest types that go beyond the traditional player picking contests. Creative operators are now exploring innovative formats to distinguish themselves in a competitive market. These new formats are not just limited to classic sports but are venturing into realms like eSports and other non-sporting themes. This expansion broadens the appeal of DFS, attracting a diverse range of new participants and interests.

One of the significant advantages of DFS over traditional sports betting is the ease of obtaining multi-state licensing in the United States. While sports betting continues to navigate through complex, state-specific legislation, DFS enjoys a more straightforward legal status in numerous states. This legal clarity enables operators to quickly scale their DFS offerings across various states, enhancing their market presence and reach.

Additionally, DFS presents an excellent opportunity for sports betting operators to diversify their revenue streams. The peak periods of DFS contests often coincide with the high points of major fantasy sports seasons, such as the NFL and NBA. This synchronicity allows operators to capitalize on the heightened fan engagement during these times, thereby boosting their revenue potential.

Furthermore, DFS opens up avenues for cross-selling to existing betting customers. Those already familiar with the mechanics of wagering find it easier to transition into DFS variants. Operators can leverage this familiarity, presenting DFS as an enticing addition to their traditional sports betting options. This strategy not only retains current customers but also enhances their engagement by offering a more diverse betting experience.

However, companies looking only to tap these opportunities without dedicating proper DFS operational resources are unlikely to gain much traction. It still requires a specific DFS-first strategy approach to succeed longer-term.

Building a Dedicated DFS Product

Here are some best practices betting operators should follow when expanding into daily fantasy sports:

  • Segment DFS users – Don’t rely only on cross-selling to existing betting users. DFS-first users have different preferences, so creating segmented user experiences is important, as well as targeting inactive betting users.
  • Optimize DFS contest mechanics – Factors like salary caps, scoring systems and contest variants can be optimized over time using analytics. Approach DFS products as their own entities detached from sportsbook mechanics.
  • Personalize promotions – DFS-first users respond better to free plays, deposit bonuses and contests tickets rather than traditional betting offers. Tailor promotional programs specifically for DFS customers.
  • Invest in dedicated DFS experts – Operating DFS successfully warrants building up specialist internal teams or seeking outside vendor help. Relying purely on existing betting teams likely won’t cut it longer-term.

In Summary

DFS presents real business expansion opportunities for traditional betting operators if undertaken strategically. But it is definitely not an easy add-on product. Companies need to invest dedicated resources into understanding DFS mechanics, users and operational best practices first. Taking shortcuts by repurposing betting teams or platforms is unlikely to succeed over the long run.

The key is recognizing DFS as differentiated from betting operationally, then building a dedicated playbook and resources around this. Combining DFS and betting capabilities can provide a powerful, complementary product portfolio. But betting operators need to walk before they can run by laying the right foundations first.