Hawaii attorney general says no to daily fantasy sports

Taking some of the shine off the good news from California and Florida on daily fantasy sports, the Attorney General for Hawaii, Doug Chin opined Wednesday that DFS contests constitute illegal gambling under existing state laws.

“Gambling generally occurs under Hawaii law when a person stakes or risks something of value upon a game of chance or upon any future contingent event not under the person’s control,” said Chin. “The technology may have changed, but the vice has not.”

By statute the Attorney General provides opinions upon questions of law submitted by the Governor, the state legislature or its members, or a state agency head. The Department of the Attorney General is weighing next steps, including civil or criminal enforcement, consistent with its opinion, a statement from his department revealed.

Hawaii’s AG joins other state officials who have opined that DFS is illegal gambling in Nevada, New York, Illinois, Texas, and Vermont.