Underdog and Birches Health partner to enhance responsible play resources

Underdog has formed a new partnership with Birches Health to enhance the operator’s responsible gambling and consumer protection capabilities, set to be made available in the responsible play hub of its application.

“This is a meaningful development in progressing how we address player well-being and protection for those utilizing our platform,” Underdog Senior Manager of Responsible Gaming Operations Frank Vaccaro said. 

“By partnering with Birches Health, our players will have access to a direct line to specialized, confidential care from real clinicians if they need it.”

The gambling addiction treatment organization currently offers responsible gaming education and confidential care from licensed clinicians trained by the International Problem Gambling & Gaming Certification Organization. 

Underdog offers users responsible play features such as deposit and spending limits, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion options, with additional resources made available through the Birches Health collaboration. 

“Access to specialized education and streamlined, insurance-covered care pathways is crucial for player engagement," Birches Health Founder & CEO Elliott Rapaport said. 

"We are excited to support Underdog in scaling robust consumer protections across their products."

At the end of July, UK trading provider IG Group agreed to acquire Underdog in a transaction valued at approximately $1.3bn, helping the organization “accelerate” its entry into the US prediction markets scene.

The deal to acquire Underdog includes an upfront consideration of approximately $1.1bn – based on enterprise value – and an earnout of nearly $200m for the operator’s shareholders.

IG Group currently offers trading on contracts related to difference, stocks and cryptocurrencies, having also stated that the transaction will have a “broadly neutral” effect on adjusted earnings per share in year one and double-digit percentage accretive by year three.