New Betting Startups: The Innovations Changing Sports Wagers in the US

Instead, they are using social media design, sweepstakes rules, AI-driven analytics, micro-betting formats, and advanced responsible-gaming tools to build completely new user experiences. The main trends include creating social betting communities, building direct peer-to-peer markets, and focusing on quick, real-time wagers.

The Rise of Social Sportsbooks and Sweepstakes Betting

Many new platforms operate under sweepstakes regulations, which allows them to offer sports picks in almost every US state. They use a dual-currency system: one currency for fun and another that can be redeemed for cash prizes.

• Fliff: Launched in 2021, Fliff lets users make picks with Fliff Coins (for fun) and Fliff Cash (redeemable). A new sweepstakes casino product called Sidepot, offering over 600 games, was introduced in February 2025. It is available in all but one US state (Washington).
• Thrillzz: This platform, available in 33 states, uses social “squads” and leaderboards to build a community. New users get 3,000 Thrillzz Coins and 3 Thrillzz Sweeps, which can be redeemed for cash prizes.
• Rebet: A mobile-only app that offers “re-bet” and peer-to-peer modes, letting players copy friends’ picks or challenge them directly. It covers over 60 sports and leagues.
• Sportzino: Established in 2023, Sportzino has a well-organized site and is available in 46 states. Unique features include FunPicks pools and AI-driven virtual sports like V-Football and V-Tennis. It also includes responsible-gaming tools like spending limits.

These social models put an emphasis on community. They use leaderboards, referral bonuses, and daily rewards to make betting feel more like a game. Many are also expanding into social casino games to boost revenue.

Peer-to-Peer Betting and Prediction Markets

A few startups are aiming to remove the “vig” (the cut or fee a sportsbook takes) by letting users trade wagers directly with each other. This creates a market where odds are more transparent.

• Novig: Founded in 2022, Novig runs a peer-to-peer sports prediction market with no vig. The platform recorded an annualized trading volume of over $2 billion since its public launch in September 2024. The company’s goal is to modernize betting by removing hidden fees.
• Mojo: Launched in New Jersey in 2022, Mojo is a stock market-style platform. It lets fans buy and sell shares in athletes, with prices changing based on the athlete’s future performance. The company charges a small commission on trades.
• Wagr: This social sports-betting startup offered peer-to-peer bets and was acquired by Yahoo in 2023, showing major tech companies’ interest in this social betting model.

Micro-Betting and Rapid-Fire Formats

Micro-betting is one of the fastest-growing trends. It lets users place small, quick wagers on the outcome of a single play or event, appealing to next-generation sports fans.

• Betr: Co-founded by Jake Paul and Joey Levy, Betr pioneered micro-betting. This allows users to wager on things like the result of a single pitch or a free throw. The app has a TikTok-style feed and prohibits credit-card funding.
• Boom Fantasy: Offers a Pick & Spin mode, which is a two-player pick with a random multiplier that can range from 2x to as high as 500x.
• Sleeper: This platform added a dynamic multiplier system to its picks offerings. This allows players to choose different risk and reward multipliers for their wagers.

The Impact of AI and Data-Driven Tools

Artificial Intelligence is starting to play a key role in both analysis and player safety.

• Rithmm: This Boston-based startup lets bettors build customizable analytics models to predict scores and win probabilities. It aims to make data-driven betting more accessible.
• PrizePicks: The largest daily fantasy sports operator, PrizePicks partnered with Mindway AI to help detect problem gambling behaviors. It also launched an Early Exit tool, which allows partial cash-outs for incomplete lineups.
• MonsterBet / MonsterGPT: This paid subscription service ($77 per month) uses proprietary projection models and a generation system to suggest betting picks.

Blockchain and Decentralized Betting

New platforms are leveraging blockchain technology to offer lower fees and more transparent operations.

• BetDEX: Founded by former executives from FanDuel and Betfair, the BetDEX Exchange launched in May 2024. It offers low flat fees (around 3% of net winnings) and accepts both crypto and fiat currency. The platform aims to democratize betting by eliminating punitive limits on winning bettors.

Responsible Gaming as a Core Feature

Startups are embedding responsible-gaming tools from the beginning to build trust and ensure user safety.

• Betr enforces deposit limits for users under the age of 25 and does not allow credit-card deposits.
• Underdog Fantasy uses AI-driven software like Bettor Sense to promote safer play.
• Sportzino and Boom Fantasy both offer users the ability to set their own spending, entry, and time-out limits.

Final Outlook

The betting landscape in 2025 shows a clear move toward social, fast, and customizable experiences. Social sportsbooks are using sweepstakes laws for a wide reach, while peer-to-peer markets are challenging the traditional house model.

As the industry matures, the most successful new companies will be those that balance innovation with strong responsible-gaming safeguards and user trust.