The legislative recognition by the state of Kentucky of fantasy sports as a game of skill and therefore not gambling took a major pace forward Monday when the state Senate voted 37 to 1 in favour of the pastime. The measure now moves to the state House.
The Associated Press news agency reports that the fantasy sports bill will clarify the legal status of fantasy sports if passed by the House and signed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
The bill was authored by Republican Rep. Brett Hildabrand, who explained earlier that he introduced the fantasy sports legalisation language to prevent ordinary Kentucky residents from being charged with gambling violations for playing the popular games .
Legislators have recently been encouraged by the opinion of state AG Derek Schmidt, who opined that fantasy sports is a game of skill falling outside the scope of the state’s gambling laws.