FanGamb: Fantasy sports and gambling come together in addiction-inducing glory

Updated: 9/15/09 9:19 a.m. Business strategy

If you combine three passions taken to obsessive proportions, you’re bound to stumble upon a business plan worth investing in.

At least that’s the angle from three 20-something entrepreneurs with educations from Penn State and University City incubator DreamIt Ventures.

FanGamb is the Web-based merging of our fantasy sports addictions, gambling habits — with fake money — and athletic infatuations, says Justin Goldman, the company’s founder.

“This probably isn’t meant for someone who turns on a game here or there,” said Justin Goldman, 27, who has partnered with product development head Robert Shedd, 24, and precocious Web developer Alan deLevie, 21. “FanGamb is meant for someone who is waking up everyday to check scores from last night’s game and is falling asleep to SportsCenter.”

Justin Goldman

Today is the official launch of FanGamb’s first version, a free to join, free to play fantasy gambling league, using virtual fake money, for college and professional football. See a preview here.

Future iterations will include more sports, paid leagues, the chance to join public leagues and account upgrades.

But ahead of a national college tour promoting FanGamb with Playboy Playmates in tow, Goldman is ready for FanGamb to win over obsessively loyal sports fans and take hold of the expanding virtual gifts goods market. Philadelphia, Goldman says, just might be the best place on the planet to do the job, because what other city has more idolatry for sports and gambling?

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