FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2018
Contact: Aaron Manogue
(608) 310-7547 – media@thefsga.org

FANTASY SPORTS INDUSTRY RELEASES FIRST-EVER STUDY HIGHLIGHTING SIGNIFICANT CROSSOVER BETWEEN FANTASY SPORTS PLAYERS AND SPORTS WAGERERS

Four-in-five fantasy sports players plan to participate in legalized sports wagering while continuing to play fantasy sports

Fantasy sports players who bet on sports over-index in nearly every aspect of sports wagering

MINNEAPOLIS – According to new research conducted by Ipsos for the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA), 79% of fantasy sports players who are not current sports wagerers say they will likely participate in sports betting once legalized in their state. The results of the groundbreaking study were unveiled June 20 at U.S. Bank Stadium during the FSTA Summer Conference.

The study, aimed at determining the sports-wagering habits of fantasy sports players following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), also revealed that 89% of fantasy players said they support legalized sports betting. Of all the sports bettors who responded to the study – whether or not they play fantasy sports – over half said they would bet on sports more often if gambling were legalized, with more than one third saying their wager sizes would increase.

According to the research, the “crossover” player, who plays fantasy sports and wagers on sports, spends more on their fantasy sports contests and wagers than the average sports bettor.

“When betting operators are looking for customers, their first stop will be fantasy sports companies,” said FSTA President Paul Charchian. “This research strongly suggests that the value of most fantasy sports companies will rise significantly, even when the companies themselves don’t take legal wagers.”

Data from the Ipsos study also revealed:

• Fantasy sports will be safe from cannibalization, as 92% of current season-long fantasy sports players and 87% of current daily fantasy sports players said they would play their respective fantasy sports as often as they do now once legislation is passed in their state
• “Crossover” fantasy players who place sports wagers are willing to spend money on sports-related subscriptions, goods and services (e.g., 89% pay for extras like NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB.tv, and NHL Center Ice)
• “Crossover” players place wagers more often than exclusive bettors. Seventy percent of “crossover” players placed weekly wagers while only 59% of exclusive bettors placed weekly wagers

The Ipsos study was conducted from May 7-11, 2018 with n=1,484 fantasy players or current sports bettors.

About FSTA

The Fantasy Sports Trade Association represents the fantasy sports industry with over 150 member companies ranging from small startups to large media corporations. As the voice of the industry since 1998, the FSTA has been the leader in providing demographic data, annual conferences and collective action to ensure unfettered growth. For more information, visit https://www.thefsga.org.

About Ipsos

Ipsos specializes in addressing issues related to innovation, market understanding and path to purchase. Ipsos Marketing helps clients to define their marketing strategy, identify new opportunities, understand buying behavior, develop brands, services and products and optimize the allocation of their marketing expenditures. Embedded within Ipsos is the Ipsos Lottery & Gaming specialty practice for North America. With more than 25 years of dedicated experience to this industry, Ipsos has the depth of expertise and knowledge to help clients understand their marketplace and grow their business now and in the future.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In the U.S., UK and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. It provides boutique-style customer service and works closely with its clients, while also undertaking global research. To learn more, visit: www.ipsos-na.com.