Governor Kemp Celebrates Expansion of PrizePicks, a Company Operating in a State Where Sports Betting is Still Illegal
Governor Brian Kemp officially inaugurated PrizePicks’ expanded headquarters in Atlanta on Thursday. The event marked a significant milestone for the company, even as Georgia continues to hold firm against legalised sports betting. Despite the legal barriers, PrizePicks has managed to establish itself as a major player in the fantasy sports space.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a notable moment for Georgia’s economy, with Governor Kemp touting the new jobs and economic activity that the company’s expansion is expected to bring. This is especially significant in a state where efforts to legalise sports betting have repeatedly stalled in the legislature.
PrizePicks, which allows users to place bets based on the performance of individual players rather than the outcomes of full team games, has found a way around Georgia’s ban on traditional sports betting. The company argues that its platform offers skill-based fantasy sports, as opposed to pure games of chance, positioning itself as an innovative solution that stays within the legal framework.
Kemp’s Support for PrizePicks: A Boost for Local Economy
For Governor Kemp, the expansion of PrizePicks is a win in terms of job creation and economic growth. Speaking at the ceremony, the governor celebrated the 500+ jobs the company has promised to create in the coming years. “This is exactly the kind of growth we want to see in Georgia,” he said, stressing that the state has become an increasingly attractive destination for tech companies.
PrizePicks’ decision to expand its Atlanta office shows that Georgia continues to attract talent and investment, despite the ongoing political debate over legalised sports betting. The state’s allure lies in its growing tech sector, low taxes, and business-friendly environment, all of which help companies like PrizePicks thrive.
But there’s more at play here than just economics. The expansion comes at a time when the future of sports betting in Georgia is uncertain. While many states across the country have embraced sports wagering in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling in 2018, Georgia has remained on the sidelines.
The Legal Grey Area of PrizePicks’ Business Model
PrizePicks’ business model hinges on its ability to circumvent Georgia’s laws by framing its offerings as skill-based games. The company allows players to pick individual athletes and wager on their performance in various statistical categories—such as points scored, assists, or rushing yards—without technically betting on the outcome of a game.
This model has raised eyebrows among critics, some of whom argue that PrizePicks still functions much like a traditional sports betting platform. However, the company insists that its focus on individual player performance rather than team outcomes places it firmly within the realm of skill-based gaming.
The grey area of legality in Georgia has made PrizePicks one of the state’s most scrutinised companies. Despite the objections of critics, the company has operated with the blessing of state regulators, who have yet to take action to curtail its activities.
PrizePicks vs. Georgia’s Sports Betting Push
The expansion of PrizePicks comes at a time when Georgia lawmakers continue to debate the future of sports betting in the state. The issue has been at the forefront of state politics for several years, with various proposals aiming to legalise gambling on sports.
Each legislative session brings new hopes for advocates, but so far, efforts to legalise sports betting have faltered. Proponents of legal sports wagering argue that Georgia is missing out on tax revenue that could be used for education, infrastructure, and other state services.
Critics, however, worry that legalised sports betting could lead to an increase in gambling addiction and other social issues. In a state where the gambling debate remains deeply polarised, PrizePicks stands as a symbol of how companies can navigate the legal complexities and thrive even when full-scale sports betting is still off the table.
The Growing Fantasy Sports Industry
PrizePicks’ rapid growth is a reflection of the booming fantasy sports industry, which has exploded in popularity over the past decade. Companies like DraftKings and FanDuel have dominated the market, but PrizePicks has carved out a niche for itself with its player-specific wagers.
In 2023, the daily fantasy sports (DFS) market in the U.S. was valued at approximately $2.5 billion, with projections suggesting continued growth as more states legalise the practice. Although Georgia remains one of the states where traditional sports betting is not legal, the rise of skill-based fantasy sports platforms like PrizePicks shows that there are still ways for companies to operate in the space without running afoul of the law.
PrizePicks, for example, has expanded its reach beyond Georgia, operating in multiple states and growing its user base across the nation. In addition to its headquarters in Atlanta, the company has offices in several other cities and continues to grow its staff in response to the increasing demand for fantasy sports offerings.
