DFS bill advances in Iowa Senate

Daily fantasy sports legalisation is progressing positively in the Iowa Senate following the announcement Wednesday that the Senate Ways and Means Committee has advanced Senate Study Bill 3181 introduced recently by the committee chairman, Senator Joe Bolkcom.

The state Racing and Gaming Commission is given full authority over internet fantasy sports contests in the proposed legislation.

The Des Moines Register reports that the measure is supported by DraftKings, FanDuel and the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, and seeks to legalise fantasy sports and provide state regulation, fee structures and consumer protections.

A similar bill was approved last month by an Iowa House committee but has since stalled.

Speaking in support of the Senate Sen. Bill Dotzler said:

“It’s my view that fantasy sports betting is a cultural and social phenomenon that is growing in this country, and it is occurring in Iowa whether we like it or not.

“I believe this bill is a step in the right direction to regulate something that is occurring in our state.”

Dotzler said the Senate bill is similar to the House bill as lawmakers attempt to reach cross-chamber consensus as the legislative session nears its completion.

“Our Republican colleagues … see it as an expansion of gaming,” Dotzler said. “I really view it as a cultural and social phenomenon that’s going on that we need to regulate to keep people from being ripped off.”

Religious groups in the state have opposed the bill, claiming that it represents an expansion of gambling and is bad for the community.

Six states, including Illinois, have legalised daily fantasy sports, and more than a dozen more have legislation pending.