FANDUEL has demonstrated the focus it is placing on its UK launch by signing a partnership with sports data firm Opta.
The Edinburgh business that made its name by providing fantasy sports games in the US is set to launch its first UK fantasy sports product next month in time for the start of the 2016/17 English Premier League season, and has recruited Opta to provide live performance statistics for the new platform.
Karol Corcoran, director of international marketing at FanDuel called Opta a world leader in its field.
“Their expertise and data will add to the excitement of our live game experience, letting users watch their fantasy team rack up points as the real games play out on the pitch,” he said.
“Opta’s stats also play a critical role in our unique scoring system, which considers the contribution of every player on the pitch, not just those who score goals - ensuring a more realistic and compelling reflection of the on-field action.”
Launching on web and mobile next month, the product is being built from the ground up by the same UK-based team that developed FanDuel’s US product.
Mr Corcoran said the team had spent a lot of time on developing the right product for the UK market and feedback from users during our beta contest phase, which was rolled out during the 2016 Euros, was overwhelmingly positive.
Since its 2009 launch FanDuel has recruited six million registered users across the US and Canada and has seen four million app downloads.
The UK launch comes at a crucial time for FanDuel. The company, which has been valued at £1 billion, suffered a setback when a number of US states argued its model is a form of gambling and therefore contravenes gaming laws.
Under the pressure of numerous regulatory challenges, its auditor Deloitte cast doubt on its “ability to continue as a going concern” as FanDuel reported a $95 million loss in May.
Recent rulings in its favour, most notably in New York, have been described as a “huge win” for the company, which recently dismissed merger rumours with rival platform DraftKings.
The UK is the first phase of an international expansion that co-founder Nigel Eccles said was “the future of fantasy football”.
Speaking to The Herald last month, he said: “Not only does it collapse the season down into one day, the drafting experience is faster and slicker, the player information is great, the live scoring experience is just really fast and exciting.”
This will be enhanced by the deal with Opta, which provides data to more than 800 global clients that include sports broadcasters, digital media outlets, governing bodies, clubs, bookmakers, brands and sponsors.
Angus McNab, executive vice president at Opta owner Perform Content, North America: “We’re delighted to supply FanDuel with data to power their new fantasy contests. The growth of football as an offering in the daily fantasy sports world is fantastic, as it gives fans a great way to test their skill in analysing player performance and making every game matter. Football also offers a global calendar with so many different and varied competitions, which we think will make FanDuel’s offering really popular with fans across the globe.”
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