Benzinga | Mar 14, 2021 09:28AM EDT

FanDuel Parent Considering IPO As Investors Push For Spinoff

Traders could be getting a new way to get in on the action over online sports betting.

What Happened Ireland-based Flutter Entertainment Plc (OTC:PDYPY) is considering a spinoff in the US -- with an IPO among the options -- for its company FanDuel, Bloomberg and CNBC have reported.

Flutter in December announced that it was paying $4.2 billion to increase its stake in FanDuel to 95%. But pressure is mounting from investors who expected that to be the lead-up to a spinoff of FanDuel, CNBC reported. Flutter shares have been trading at a discount to competitor DraftKings, to investors' frustration.

Fox Corporation's (NASDAQ:FOX) Fox Sports could complicate or slow any potential deal. Fox Sports holds a 2.5% stake in Flutter and has an option to buy an 18.5% stake in FanDuel in July.

See related: Flutter Buys Larger FanDuel Stake, Takes DraftKings Head On In US

Why It Matters Online sports gambling is a hot market as more states legalize the activity.

FanDuel is a top competitor to DraftKings Inc (NASDAQ:DKNG), which went public in one of last year's most successful SPAC mergers. DraftKings shares ended last week at $71.75, up over 600% from their original $10 offering price.

FanDuel could see similar success by going public. FanDuel had $967 million in revenue last year, compared to DraftKings' $644 million.

Photo courtesy Flutter.