Underdog launches drive-by-drive markets on NFL despite CFTC scrutiny

Underdog Fantasy has introduced drive-by-drive prediction markets on the National Football League (NFL), even as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) continues to crack down on the trading type. 

Director of Product Harry Raymond shared screen recordings of how the new micro markets function on Underdog’s platform, and confirmed the operator is “excited to bring these fast-moving markets to more fans.”

Previously, the CFTC forced Novig to restrict its micro contracts on first points scored in a basketball game after the Commission found such activity to be more susceptible to manipulation. 

Underdog has seemingly pushed forward with its own micro contracts despite the CFTC’s concern, and will have the first opportunity to display its drive-by-drive markets as part of Thursday Night Football on November 12. 

Micro contracts function similarly to micro bets offered by traditional sports betting operators, such as the result of a team’s next possession or which player will catch a pass on the respective drive. 

State lawmakers in the US have also attempted to restrict micro betting activity, with two Representatives from Pennsylvania recently introducing legislation which would ban the wagers and limit same game parlays for prop bets. 

Representatives Tarik Khan and Jamie Flick would need to see their bills passed before Pennsylvania’s legislative session concludes on November 30, as the proposals will otherwise fail to carry over to 2027.

As a result of the legislation, operators would be prohibited from accepting a wager worth more than $2 per play from a user between the ages of 21-25, while players older than 25 would be limited to betting $5 per play. 

Those between the ages of 21 and 25 would also be restricted from betting once they’ve lost either $750 in a single day, or $2,500 over a month-long period. Players aged 25 or older would be limited to losing $1,500 in a single day or $5,000 in one month.