• Loading stock data...
Monday, December 2, 2024

Free Sports Prediction App GameOn Launches for the Casual Sports Fan

sports betting - sports predictions - app

Sports betting often brings to mind high-risk situations, extensive knowledge, and thought-out strategy. So, one can safely assume a large percentage of sports fans are hesitant to venture into that world, even with the Supreme Court’s recent legalization of sports gambling, due to fears of losing money or not having the comprehensive knowledge needed to be successful.

Australian entrepreneur Matt Bailey understood that and created GameOn — a free sports prediction app — in an attempt to change that perception. The app, which launched last week with an investment from Pacific Atlantic Ventures, is designed for the casual sports fan, something that differs from existing sports-betting platforms.  

When building the app, Bailey kept in mind his personal experience of moving to America as a sports fan five years ago.

“I consider myself a pretty hardcore sports fan, but when I moved here and saw new sports and new players, I suddenly considered myself a more casual fan because I didn’t have the education that came from growing up with those sports,” he explained.

SEE MORE: How the Golden Knights Landed Their Sportsbook Partnership With William Hill

“I tried to play fantasy [football] and sucked at it. It took so much time, I lost every time and it was such a terrible experience, so I wondered why isn’t there a platform that’s simpler, easier, with a low education barrier, and more driven towards casual fans. Then we came up with GameOn.”

GameOn is free, which allows people to play without financial risk, and pays out cash prizes between $100 and $100,000 dollars. To play, fans make a series of predictions ahead of a game. From there, they can either sit back and see how their picks play out or select riskier options throughout the game in an attempt to receive double points.

If someone is lucky (or smart) enough to make a series of perfect picks, they will win the $100,000 cash prize – something Bailey says was inspired by Warren Buffet’s billion-dollar March Madness bracket challenge.

The app’s simplicity and accessibility was demonstrated during its launch during Thursday’s 49ers and Raiders clash, where Bailey’s sister, an Australian millennial who knows nothing about the NFL, was at the top of the leaderboard for the first part of the game.

“That’s really what it’s all about,” said Bailey. “It’s casual-fan friendly.”

Bailey’s background is in brand partnerships, where he worked with companies like LeadDog Marketing Group and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. Tapping into his experience, he brought on Burger King and Motorola as GameOn’s first partners.

SEE MORE: Bleacher Report Gets Into Sports Betting With ‘Simms & Lefkoe: The Show’

“Both were looking to be involved with sports, but didn’t really have the budgets to compete with brands in their space that have the official partnerships. So we were an interesting opportunity for them to be a part of sports on an emerging platform in a way that doesn’t break the bank,” explained Bailey.

Along with being backed by Pacific Atlantic Ventures, GameOn is also participating in global sports data leader Sportradar’s ‘Acceleradar’ program for early-stage startups and is working with top industry advisors — including Shauna Griffiths, an SBJ Game Changer and SVP at LeadDog Marketing Group.

The investment and launch of GameOn comes at a perfect time as the interest in sports betting is on the rise. According to the American Gaming Association, the U.S. market for sports betting is set to be worth $150 billion. Following last week’s official launch, Bailey expects the strong success the app saw in beta to translate at scale.  

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

“After testing the concept with over 600-plus entries and 4,000-plus picks, while currently in beta, we’re seeing 33 percent-plus of our installed user base making picks daily (DAUs) — and only nine percent of players cited their team playing was a motivator. In other words, fans are hooked by the ease of casual play, free entry and cash prizes versus playing to follow a favorite team,” he said.

That level of engagement was something that was exciting for both brand partners and investors. Appealing to an underserved demographic of fans, GameOn is positioned for success in the increasingly competitive sports betting and prediction space.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) leads the team onto the field prior to the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium.

Schools Are Scrambling to Prepare for the NCAA Revenue-Sharing Era

In the post–House v. NCAA world, “everyone’s kind of on their own.”
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The PWHL Could Be Inviting a Date With Taylor Swift’s Legal Team

The Toronto Sceptres may have opened a Pandora’s box of trademark issues.
Bluesky and Twitter

Why Bluesky Is Not a Serious Threat to Sports Twitter

Bluesky recently hit 23 million total users. That doesn’t touch X/Twitter.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Happy Thanksgiving From FOS Today

0:00

Featured Today

Can an Elite Women’s Soccer School Survive the New College Sports Moneyball?

Santa Clara faces an uphill battle in the new college sports landscape.
Nov 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates after defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs semifinal match at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit:
November 22, 2024

The Washington Spirit’s Business Makeover Carried Them to the Finals

The team’s return to the NWSL championship looks a lot different from 2021.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
November 21, 2024

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.

UFC’s Vegas Sphere Fight Should Set Records

The MMA fight has big aspirations and a budget to match.
August 13, 2024

Duael’s One-On-One Racing Brackets Are Yet Another Stab at Saving Track

Duael will debut in March 2025 with the inaugural Duael 100.
September 8, 2024

Guardian Caps Make NFL Debut

Multiple NFL players wore Guardian Caps over their helmets Sunday.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
August 11, 2024

Guardian Caps Have Arrived in the NFL—Ahead of Schedule

Colts star Jonathan Taylor strapped one on for Sunday’s preseason game.
August 5, 2024

How Omega Timing Determined Noah Lyles Won Olympic Gold

Omega touches every corner of the Olympics.
The Adidas ball has changed over the years.
July 25, 2023

The Most Advanced Tech at the Women’s World Cup Might Surprise You

This year’s OCEAUNZ introduces connected ball technology to the women’s game.
Sponsored

Rewriting the Sports Media Playbook

WSC’s highlight automation improved Clemson’s content strategy and overall growth.