PrizePicks has appointed former Uber executive and Capitol Hill Consulting Group veteran Nick Zabriskie as its senior vice president of public affairs. It comes as the fantasy sports platform aims to navigate an increasingly complex regulatory outlook in the U.S.
Mr Zabriskie was one of the earliest members of Uber’s policy team and helped the ride-sharing app develop public affair strategy. He had previously worked as director of government relations at Capitol Hill Consulting Group, a federal affairs consultancy, and was also a staff member in the United States House of Representatives.
PrizePicks chief legal officer and head of public policy Jason Barclay hailed his hire. He said in a company statement: “Nick is the perfect person to lead our public affairs efforts for PrizePicks’ next chapter of innovation. His reputation for ingenuity, integrity, and transparency are the values upon which our advocacy and public policy strategies are built.”
Zabriskie said: “I am thrilled to build upon the inroads that the PrizePicks team has made these past several years. The team has done an incredible job of creating innovative products and putting customers at the forefront, delivering the ultimate sports entertainment experience. PrizePicks has a huge opportunity ahead to serve even more people while maintaining the highest standards of player protection and compliance.”
Zabriskie’s appointment comes one month after Polymarket partnership
Zabriskie enters the role during a period of heightened legal scrutiny. PrizePicks announced a multi-year partnership with the world’s largest prediction market Polymarket at the start of November.
The agreement will allow users of the PrizePicks app to trade on event contracts, which encompass sports, culture, and entertainment. The deal represents a key feature of Polymarket’s reintegration in the U.S. market, with both businesses aiming to provide services under a newly regulated framework.
Recent court fights involving competitors Kalshiare pricking some ears in the space, however. The other major prediction market in the U.S. has faced a number of setbacks in the courts. In Nevada, it was ordered to operate under state gaming rules by a state judge, while the state of Connecticut has issued cease and desist orders to Kalshi, Robinhood.com, and crypto.com, accusing each of facilitating unlicensed online gambling.
A state notice read: “Each of the companies are “hereby ordered to immediately cease and desist advertising, offering, promoting, or otherwise making available Contracts or any other form of unlicensed online gambling to Connecticut residents.”
Kalshi spokesman, Jack Such, said the company has filed a suit in the federal courts: “”As other courts have recognized, Kalshi is a regulated, nationwide exchange for real-world events, and it is subject to exclusive federal jurisdiction. It’s very different from what state-regulated sportsbooks and casinos offer their customers. We are confident in our legal arguments”
PrizePicks’ approval as futures commission merchant (FCM) gives it advanced regulatory standing
In September 2025, PrizePicks were awarded an FCM license after its subsidiary, Performance Predictions II LLC, was granted one by the National Futures Association on behalf of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). It will operate under the name PrizePicks Predict and will become the first such fantasy sports operator registered as an FCM with the CTFC.
It could provide a significant advantage for the company and its new senior vice president of public affairs as the battle to seal multi-state regulatory approval ratchets up.
At the time, Jason Barclay, Chief Legal Officer and Head of Public Policy for PrizePicks argued the decision seals the company’s status as a safe and reputable place to play. He was quoted in a press release: “The honor of being the first sports entertainment platform to receive a FCM registration from the NFA is a testament to our industry-leading compliance and consumer protection programs that both the NFA and CFTC demand.”
Wait for Allwyn International AG acquisition goes on
In September 2025, Allwyn International AG agreed to acquire a majority stake in PrizePicks, with the deal expected to go through in the first half of 2026. The lottery-led gaming entertainment company will pay an initial cash consideration of $1.6 billion with a view to sealing 62.3% of the total shares, according to reports.
It was confirmed at the time that co-founder Adam Wexler will continue on as a member of PrizePicks’ board of directors.
While the future for the industry remains uncertain, it’s been a seismic few months for PrizePicks, and Mr Zabriskie will now be responsible for guiding the company through a volatile period for the sector..
References
Next.io: https://next.io/news/betting/prizepicks-polymarket-announce-multi-year-partnership/
Gaming Intelligence: https://www.gamingintelligence.com/people/223501-prizepicks-names-nick-zabriskie-as-svp-of-public-affairs/
Coindesk: https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/12/03/connecticut-orders-kalshi-robinhood-crypto-com-to-cease-sports-betting
Next.io: https://next.io/news/regulation/prizepicks-prediction-markets-new-cftc-approval/
iGaming Business: https://igamingbusiness.com/strategy/ma/allwyn-enters-us-prizepicks-acquisition/
