In the bustling world of sports betting, platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel dominate the scene. However, these platforms often intimidate casual fans with complex odds, money lines, and spreads. For many, the prospect of betting against a house with superior knowledge deters engagement. Enter TossUp, a revolutionary app aimed at making sports betting a fun, social, and interactive experience. Two of TossUp’s co-founders, Adam Haiken (BU ’24) and Max Williams (LA ’24), shared about their startup and next steps.

The Problem with Current Sports Betting Platforms

For casual sports fans, the traditional sports betting platforms present a daunting landscape. Adam Haiken points out that terms like odds, money lines, and spreads create a barrier to entry. Additionally, the concept of betting against the house, which is inherently at an advantage, can be off-putting for those not deeply versed in sports betting.

Existing alternatives, such as DraftKings Social or DraftKings Pools, attempt to address this issue but fall short. These solutions allow users to follow friends’ bets or participate in pools where the emphasis is on transactional outcomes rather than social interaction. The result is a lack of genuine social engagement and interest in others’ bets.

Identifying a Market Gap

The sports betting industry is booming, with mobile sports betting now legal in 30 states and Washington D.C. The market, worth $64 billion, largely focuses on bets placed via sportsbooks. However, a significant portion of betting occurs informally among friends, family, and coworkers. These interactions lack a dedicated platform, remaining offline and unaggregated.

Haiken explains that this informal market represents a massive untapped opportunity. Despite the profitability of the current sportsbook model, major players like DraftKings and FanDuel have not ventured into this space due to the risk of cannibalizing their more profitable sportsbook sales.

Introducing TossUp

TossUp was created by four WashU students during their undergraduate experience – Haiken, Williams, Julian Tornusciolo (BU ’24), and Sean Chopra (LA ’24). Their app aims to fill the gap by creating a social sports picks app designed for friends, family, and coworkers. Unlike traditional platforms, TossUp focuses on making the betting experience interactive and community-driven.

How TossUp Works

• Creating Leagues: Users start by creating or joining leagues. These leagues can be private (among friends and family) or public, allowing for broader participation. Users can join leagues organized by universities, influencers, or even strangers, fostering a sense of community.
• Swipeable Sports Picks: The core feature of TossUp is its swipable sports picks. Users receive daily stacks of picks, such as predicting the winner between the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. Swiping left or right indicates their prediction, making the process simple and engaging.
• Scoring and Super Picks: After the games, users’ picks are graded. The app features a “super pick” option, allowing users to double their points on a particularly confident pick. This gamified element adds excitement and encourages strategic thinking.
• Sharing and Virality: TossUp includes an easy share feature, converting bets into emojis and text for seamless sharing in group chats. This functionality is likened to the auto-generated texts from Wordle, aiming to enhance the app’s virality.
• Leaderboards and Competition: Throughout the league duration, users can track their performance on a standings page, comparing their points with friends and other participants. Unlike traditional fantasy leagues that span an entire season, TossUp resets points weekly, keeping the competition fresh and engaging. Additionally, there’s a trophy cabinet being incorporated to enhance to the fun and competitive spirit to the weekly experience.

What’s Next for TossUp?

With 68 million Americans betting on the Super Bowl alone, there’s a clear appetite for sports betting. TossUp capitalizes on the largest segment of this market—those betting informally with friends and family—by offering a platform that brings these interactions online. By focusing on social engagement and simplicity, TossUp promises to make sports betting accessible and enjoyable for casual fans, fostering a sense of community and competition that traditional sportsbooks have yet to capture.

If you’re interested in participating in their beta testing this summer, complete this short form. TossUp is looking for testers from any background, familiarity with sports, and betting skill level – anyone and everyone is welcome to join! Your input could be helpful as TossUp targets an early September launch to coincide with the beginning of the National Football League (NFL) season.