When sports betting launched Monday at noon in the Tar Heel State, so did Underdog Sportsbook.
If that name seems familiar, it’s probably because you already know of Underdog Fantasy, which was already operating pick’em-style contests in more than 30 U.S. states.
If you’re new to the brand, the daily fantasy sports company decided to take a gamble and wade into the water of betting odds, lines, totals, and more while still giving off its user-friendly fantasy vibe.
From start to finish, here’s a look at the newest sportsbook app:
Getting started
At first sight, Underdog Sportsbook will feel very similar to users of Underdog Fantasy.
Sign-up is simple, identity verification is seamless, and there’s a typical two-factor authorization that’s easy to set up and use. However, there weren’t as many funding options available on launch as other competitors. Online banking and credit/debit cards were the only two offered by Underdog Sportsbook.
PayPal is an option on Underdog Fantasy, but it was not offered on the sportsbook app.
However, Underdog Fantasy users can link their account and wallet to Underdog Sportsbook.
Bonuses weren’t as attractive as other N.C. sportsbooks as there were no actual start-up fund promotions. Underdog Sportsbook is offering “First Bet Mulligan.” If your first wager up to $1,000 loses, the sportsbook refunds you in bonus funds.
Betting options
Once everything is squared away and betting can begin, it’s easy to see what Underdog Sportsbook is going for with an interface that mimics its DFS app.
Games immediately pop up on the home screen. Toggling between sports occurs at the top of the screen, but you won’t see many options.
Underdog Sportsbook is starting with a slow approach of giving traditional and prop options for NBA and NCAA men’s basketball.
So far, that’s it. No hockey, soccer, MMA, MLB spring training games, or tennis is available.
There’s no live or in-game wagering, which will be a huge bummer to many sports bettors. Futures don’t exist yet, either. It’s as stripped down a betting menu as you’ll find, but some users will appreciate the simplicity.
Other sports will likely be slowly introduced as seasons begin, but as of now, it’s an extremely limited menu.
Betting odds
You also won’t find your typical sports betting odds.
Underdog Sportsbook uses multipliers to express the juice. For instance, a 6.5-point underdog doesn’t have -110 or -115 listed. Instead, it’s 1.88x or 1.95x. It can take some getting used to but isn’t a huge turnoff.
In terms of the basketball betting options available, it’s easy to scroll through games or find one in particular. Wagering choices include the moneyline (labeled as a team “to win”), spread (also labeled as margin of victory), over/under total points, and then a ton of player props. Those can be easily scrolled through at the top of the screen as well.
That’s pretty much it. There’s a section to view bets and another with account info where you can deposit and withdraw, read house rules, policies, and terms of use as well as contact support.
Final verdict
Underdog Sportsbook is much more geared toward the novice sports bettor than the other seven sportsbook apps operating sports betting in North Carolina.
Users won’t be overwhelmed by a ton of betting options or struggle with how to set up a bet slip. A simple approach could greatly appeal to them.
Regular DFS players should also like the mixed approach of traditional and prop wagering.
More experienced sports bettors, though, won’t be happy with the few current offerings or the fantasy feel. It’s hard to see a veteran or someone who quickly adjusts to a more sophisticated app sticking with Underdog Sportsbook until it greatly grows the product, which it will undoubtedly attempt to do so it can attract a larger market during football season.
