FantasySpin and FastDraft Merge to Challenge Fantasy Sports Titans

BOSTON, MA – May 04, 2026 – In a strategic move poised to reshape a corner of the rapidly evolving fantasy sports landscape, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operator FantasySpin and Best Ball platform FastDraft announced a corporate merger today. The deal unites two innovative companies, creating a single entity that aims to offer a comprehensive suite of fantasy games to a massively expanded North American audience.

The combined company is set to leverage FantasySpin’s reach, which will now extend to 38 U.S. states and Canada, making its contests available to an addressable population of 330 million people. This merger follows a successful first year where the two entities collectively booked over $1 million in contest entries, signaling a strong user appetite for their distinct products.

A New Challenger in a Consolidating Market

The merger arrives at a critical juncture for the sports gaming industry. The market, valued at over $25 billion globally in 2023 and projected to grow significantly, is dominated by behemoths like DraftKings and FanDuel. This competitive pressure has fueled a wave of consolidation, a trend highlighted by FantasySpin CEO Steve “Dakota” Happas.

"The sports gaming ecosystem is heading toward a significant consolidation," Happas stated in the announcement. He noted that major operators are all competing for the same user base, creating an environment where differentiation is key to survival. "The companies that survive will be those who find ways to differentiate their product or merge with others, and we built FantasySpin around a truly unique experience — where skill meets thrill — precisely for that reason."

This merger is a direct execution of that strategy. By combining forces, FantasySpin and FastDraft aim to carve out a significant niche among the more than 60 million fantasy sports participants in North America. They are betting that a unified platform offering both the immediate gratification of daily games and the season-long appeal of Best Ball will be a compelling alternative to the established leaders.

Fusing Skill, Speed, and Slots

At the heart of this merger is the fusion of two distinct and highly-rated gameplay philosophies. FantasySpin has garnered attention for its patented DFS product that gamifies the process of building a lineup. Its 'slots-like' interface blends the strategic skill of DFS with the thrill of iGaming, an approach that earned it the “Best New Fantasy Sports Game” award from the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association in 2025. User reception has been strong, with the app holding a 4.6-star rating on the Apple App Store, praised for its unique and fast-paced experience.

On the other side of the equation is FastDraft, which has revolutionized the season-long Best Ball format. Its proprietary technology enables drafts to be completed in under five minutes, eliminating the time-consuming nature of traditional drafts and the need for in-season management like waiver claims and trades. This 'set-it-and-forget-it' model has resonated powerfully with users, earning the platform a near-perfect 4.9-star rating on the App Store. Users laud its user-friendly interface and speed, which caters to a modern audience accustomed to short-form content.

“This merger is a monumental step forward for the fantasy sports industry,” said Happas. “By joining forces with FastDraft, we are giving more than 60 million fantasy gamers in North America the ultimate toolkit to play how they want and when they want, fast.”

The Unified Platform Vision

The new entity's primary goal is to create a seamless, all-encompassing fantasy experience. The integration plan is ambitious, promising to combine FantasySpin’s diverse DFS contests—spanning NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, and college sports—with FastDraft's full suite of NFL formats. The merger will also allow FastDraft to immediately expand its popular Best Ball product into sports beyond the NFL.

For users, the most significant planned advancements include:

• A Unified Wallet System: A single account and shared bankroll will allow players to move effortlessly between daily spins and season-long drafts, managing funds from one central hub.
• Expanded Contest Optionality: The combined platform will offer a robust menu of gamified DFS experiences alongside rapid Best Ball drafts across all major professional and college sports.
• Shared Promotions and Loyalty Rewards: Players will be able to earn prizes, promotional funds, and free-play bonuses regardless of which game format they choose, creating a more integrated and rewarding ecosystem.

This unified approach is designed to increase user engagement and retention by providing a one-stop shop for a wide spectrum of fantasy players, from the casual fan to the seasoned veteran.

Leadership with a Disruptive Vision

Guiding the newly formed company is a leadership team with deep roots in fantasy sports innovation. Steve “Dakota” Happas, a serial entrepreneur who previously built and sold a large affiliate marketing platform, will continue as CEO. His “game-first mentality” was the driving force behind FantasySpin’s unique product and its 2023 acquisition of BettorFantasy.

Joining him as President is Matt Kelley, the founder of FastDraft and a prominent voice in the industry, widely known as “The Podfather” through his work at RotoUnderworld and PlayerProfiler.com. Kelley has a proven track record in product development and successfully raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding for FastDraft by focusing on a superior, faster mobile gaming experience.

“These two brands teaming up is excellent news for fantasy players worldwide, and I'm thrilled to witness the exciting possibilities that lie ahead as we unite the best daily and season-long fantasy formats on the planet," Kelley remarked.

Together, they aim to navigate the complex regulatory waters and intense market competition by doubling down on product innovation. Happas expressed his excitement for the challenge and opportunity ahead. "We believe in the FantasySpin game and are excited to pair it with FastDraft's incredible technology to deliver an all-encompassing, fully licensed fantasy offering to tens of millions of new players."