Underdog Fantasy Launches GuardDog Responsible Gambling Initiative

Article ByDavid Weir

October 10, 2023

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Posted in: US Fantasy Sports News, US Gambling News, US Sports Betting News

Underdog Fantasy, a platform offering daily fantasy sports games, has initiated a new investment project named GuardDog, aimed at growing innovation in responsible gambling.

The company has committed to an initial investment of $1 million to support and expedite the growth of early-stage startups in the field.

“Our focus is to spur innovation and help companies committed to making betting and real money games safer and more enjoyable for those who play them,” says the new GuardDog website.

Underdog was one of several daily fantasy sports operators targeted recently by regulators for online gambling in New York and Massachusetts, as well as lawmakers in Florida. It maintains its pick ‘em prop style bets are not comparable to online sports betting.

Stronger System for All

While these legal challenges mount up, Underdog is still making good revenues from its usual daily fantasy sports operation.

It has now put an initial $1 million aside to invest in companies and startups that are developing responsible gambling solutions.

“With GuardDog,, we intend to spur innovation to help companies that help people play the games they love — including all our games on Underdog — responsibly,” said Jeremy Levine, founder and co-CEO of Underdog.

“We know there are tons of dreamers, entrepreneurs, and builders out there that can help build a stronger, more responsible ecosystem for all. We want to help those innovating in responsibility by providing capital, mentorship, and valuable connections.”

Mentorship and Support for Startups

In addition to financial investments, companies that receive funding from GuardDog will also have access to advisors, mentors, and investors from a community that includes former regulators, experienced funders, and responsible gaming experts.

Some of the mentors listed by Underdog Fantasy include Brianne Doura-Schawohl, a well-known responsible gaming advocate, Adam Warrington, former Vice President of Responsible Gaming at FanDuel, Dan Hartman, former director of the Colorado Division of Gaming, and and Sara Tait, former executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission.

By investing in startups that aim to make betting and gaming safer and more enjoyable, the initiative seeks to foster a more responsible gaming ecosystem for future generations of players and operators alike.

This approach aligns with that of other operators across the U.S., such as MGM Bet and its GameSense program.

GuardDog is now open for applications from companies interested in receiving investment and support, marking a step forward in the collective effort to enhance responsible gaming practices across the industry.

Underdog’s Journey

Underdog Fantasy was founded by Jeremy Levine, who attended the Tech Stars startup accelerator scheme in the early 2010s. Another pair of graduates of more recent years, include Jacob Fortinsky and Kelechi Ukah, the team behind the newest U.S. betting exchange, Novig.

Now an established daily fantasy operator, Underdog wants to take its audience into traditional sports betting. Although there’s no word on the launch date yet, Underdog is licensed to offer full-service Colorado online sports betting and is looking at licenses in Ohio and Massachusetts.

However, that last potential license could be complicated by the recent hard

While these legal challenges mount up, Underdog is still making good revenues from its usual daily fantasy sports operation.

It has now put an initial $1 million aside to invest in companies and startups that are developing responsible gambling solutions.

“With GuardDog,, we intend to spur innovation to help companies that help people play the games they love — including all our games on Underdog — responsibly,” said Jeremy Levine, founder and co-CEO of Underdog.

“We know there are tons of dreamers, entrepreneurs, and builders out there that can help build a stronger, more responsible ecosystem for all. We want to help those innovating in responsibility by providing capital, mentorship, and valuable connections.”

However, that cou

While these legal challenges mount up, Underdog is still making good revenues from its usual daily fantasy sports operation.

It has now put an initial $1 million aside to invest in companies and startups that are developing responsible gambling solutions.

“With GuardDog,, we intend to spur innovation to help companies that help people play the games they love — including all our games on Underdog — responsibly,” said Jeremy Levine, founder and co-CEO of Underdog.

“We know there are tons of dreamers, entrepreneurs, and builders out there that can help build a stronger, more responsible ecosystem for all. We want to help those innovating in responsibility by providing capital, mentorship, and valuable connections.”

However, that could be compicated by the recent hardline stance regulators have taken against DFS operators like Underdog and their pick ‘em prop bets.