Status of DFS in the US

Daily Fantasy Sports and the legality surrounding it continues to hold the attention of state lawmakers across the US. Maryland Maryland's state financial Comptroller revealed that an investigation into the legality of DFS is intended following a report from the state's Attorney General's legal counsel regarding a 2012 law that allows traditional fantasy betting among friends and whether the issue of DFS should have appeared on a ballot giving voters the opportunity to express their opinions. The report indicated that the 2012 law is unclear and the topic of daily fantasy sports betting should have been presented to voters. Maryland legal experts are unsure of how a Maryland court will rule on traditional fantasy betting or daily fantasy betting and whether they should be classified as skill based or games of chance. Nevada Brian Sandoval, governor of Nevada, revealed that the Nevada Gaming Policy Committee will meet to discuss topics involving the gambling industry, which includes DFS. The committee is made up of 12 members including Nevada citizens, politicians, regulators, a tribal representative and stakeholders from the Nevada gaming community. According to the Las Vegas Sun, committee members will make recommendations for the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission to consider. “Nevada has always been the epicenter for global gaming entertainment, regulation and innovation,” Sandoval said. “The industry is constantly changing, as more states and countries enter into this increasingly competitive field, and I believe the changes we are witnessing demand the attention of Nevada's policy leaders.” Vermont The Attorney General's office in Vermont provided a more clear view of DFS informing the state Senate committee that online daily fantasy sports games are illegal in the state. John Treadwell, chief of the criminal division at the state AG's office, is urging politicians not to approve a bill that will regulate and legalize DFS. "Our opinion is that daily fantasy sports fall within the coverage of Vermont's gambling statutes," Treadwell said before members of the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee on Friday. "Our concern is what [the bill] does is it takes one variety of illegal, for-profit gambling and makes it legal without any consideration for why this particular one is being chosen and others are not," Treadwell said. Both DraftKings and FanDuel have been pushing for legalization in Vermont based on DFS being a game of skill, which does not constitute gambling. Treadwell disagrees pointing out that an element of chance does exist and determined by Attorney Generals in New York and Illinois. Virginia The DFS situation is looking up in Virginia as it seems that there may be licensing and regulation of the industry on the horizon. Two bills supporting the legalization of DFS have been presented to the General Assembly with a third in the works.