Florida senator proposes new fantasy sports bill

Tampa, Florida Senator Dana Young introduced another fantasy sports proposal to the state Senate schedule Friday, recommending that the legislature exempt fantasy sports play from regulation under the state’s gambling laws.

The introduction of Young’s AB374 bill for the 2018 legislative session set to begin January 8 follows a similar bill from the senator last year which failed to gain traction.

AB374 specifically prohibits operators from offering “contests based on the performances of participants in collegiate, high school, or youth athletics,” an omission which created obstacles for the measure last year.

Sen. Young said in summary that the bill simply confirms that fantasy sports activity in Florida is not illegal.

Local press reports indicate that around 3 million Floridians play some sort of fantasy sports.