Underdog Fantasy among five DFS apps to stop operating in Maine
State regulator confirms Jeremy Levine-led firm among quintet of DFS firms no longer licensed to operate in Maine
The Maine Gambling Control Unit announced on social media yesterday, April 9, that five DFS sports apps could no longer operate in Maine, including Underdog.
Alongside Underdog, the state’s regulator noted Data Force, Bidventures, Boom Shakalaka, and Sportshub are all no longer licensed to operator in the Pine Tree State.
A MGCU spokesperson said the companies made “business decisions” and decided to not renew their licenses.
As reported by LSR, an Underdog spokesperson said: “In states across the country, we make business decisions on where to offer our games, and we chose to not pursue a renewal of our fantasy sports license in Maine.”
Underdog’s decision to leave Maine comes after the firm was issued a fine last October.
The DFS operator was fined $391,850 for offering pick‘em-style fantasy contests, with the Maine Gambling Control Unit ordering the firm to “immediately cease” operating the vertical.
Following the ceasing of operations from the five brands, Maine now has six DFS apps remaining, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo.
Maine has become the latest state to clamp down on pick’em contests, joining multiple other states who have done the same.
Missouri and Florida ordered pick‘em operators to cease operations earlier this year, and Massachusetts ordered a ban in February.
Some states, such as Colorado, are currently considering a ban as well.
Elsewhere, Underdog made its first foray into online sports betting last month after debuting as one of the initial licensed operators in North Carolina.
The operator is facing off against heavyweights DraftKings and FanDuel in the Tar Heel State, with total handle in the market having edge towards $200m in the first week of legalized online sports betting.