Win Daily Sports
Jason Mezrahi has parlayed a successful track record as a daily fantasy player and sports bettor into a budding mini-empire that includes his website, WinDailySports.com, a “Win Daily” book and a SiriusXM Radio show. As we turn the page to '21, he looks back at '20 and how the pandemic has disrupted, but in some ways strengthened, the betting/DFS sector.
Q: How has the uncertainty of the sports calendar and the loss of overall game inventory in the COVID era forced you to pivot?
Mezrahi: After games were shut down, I gathered our troops and told our team that we will come out better than we were prior. I never knew it would be this long, that I would be currently COVID-19 positive, but my words held true. We quickly pivoted to every sport and esport which you can play daily fantasy or wager on. Specifically, League of Legends really blossomed and carried us for quite some time prior to UFC, NASCAR and PGA coming back. The uncertainty forced many other DFS and betting content providers to close up shop, but we emerged in a better position. I actually increased my staff and advertising budget, all while pausing all of our paid membership revenue. So while our competition shut down -- or even worse, charged for memberships while games were very limited -- we were able to keep our community.
Q: How has analysis of the games themselves changed?
Mezrahi: The effects on psychology of the players and the atmosphere has to be taken into account. There is an edge there if you are willing to take a look under the hood. For example, when the NBA season restarted in the bubble, you could clearly see after a couple of games who wanted to ball and who clearly wanted to go home. Currently in the NFL, you can see an edge with the elite quarterbacks dominating every Sunday with no crowd presence to interrupt play calling at the line.
Q: What have you had to do differently in your role in terms of process?
Mezrahi: To be honest, not much has changed in my line of work, outside of dedicating more time and effort to my passion of building the brand. Some routines have changed, like hosting the “Win Daily” SiriusXM show out of my house while having a two-year-old running around while I am recording from my basement studio. I never thought I would say this, but I miss the traffic-filled commute into N.Y. and the struggle to find parking prior to recording live across from Radio City Music Hall.
Q: How has COVID affected the legalization/regulation of sports betting in the U.S.?
Mezrahi: Overall, the pandemic has provided a major uptick to legalization. On one side, it has slowed the governing process, because sports betting appeals will have to wait until more pressing matters of the pandemic are dealt with. But with so much revenue lost, all the parties are starting to recognize and fully understand the possible revenue streams that legalization will bring. We have seen early adopters like New Jersey and Pennsylvania rake in record-breaking revenue. I believe that in the next 2-4 years we will see most states buying in to sports betting. The innovation in this market will be staggering, and I’m truly excited as a fan. It’s a great time to be alive if you have a passion for sports betting and gaming.
