Colorado DFS bill sent to governor's desk

Colorado legislators have moved with remarkable speed to legalise daily fantasy sports in the state, sending a legalisation bill to Governor John Hickenlooper’s desk for signature after fast passage through both the House and the Senate.

Bill HB1404 sponsored by House Democratic leader Crisanta Duran (see previous report) sailed through the House, and on Friday night was approved by the Senate on a 26 vs. 7 vote and forwarded to the governor’s office for signature into state law.

The bill requires pay-to-play operators to undergo background checks, contract annual independent audits and keep records of daily operations for at least three years. They are required to register with a newly created Office of Fantasy Contests within the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.

Duran’s measure was supported by the fantasy sports industry, as well as the Denver Broncos and the Denver Nuggets, with spokesmen saying it would preserve the integrity and viability of the games.

“This is a good, pro-business bill that will protect the consumers and will protect the integrity of fantasy sports games,” said Senate Democratic leader Lucia Guzman, who carried the bill in the Senate with former Weld County Sheriff John Cooke.

“While other states are moving to ban them outright, we in Colorado are acting in the spirit of our business-friendly climate to ensure this industry can continue to grow and thrive in our state.”

If signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper, as expected, the regulations would take effect July 1 this year.