New daily fantasy sports bill introduced in New York
News on 1 Jun 2016
News on 1 Jun 2016
In New York, where state AG Eric Schneiderman has vigorously opposed daily fantasy sports, opining that it constitutes gambling, the Assembly could be about to override his cease and desist notices to major operators (see previous reports).
Good to his recent pledge, Rep. Gary Pretlow has launched his DFS legalisation bill A10473, details of which can be accessed here:
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=A10473&term=&Summary=Y&Text=Y.
The bill already has the support of Reps. Dinowitz, Cook, Gjonaj, Murray and Ortiz, and relates to the registration and regulation of interactive fantasy sports contests, requiring all operators to register in New York state.
Pretlow told local media reporters that he was optimistic that the bill will pass after over a year of working on it and developing support. He expects the bill to be the subject of an early hearing this week in the New York House Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, which he chairs.
The Senate could also see early action on DFS; Sen. John Bonacic introduced a bill in February which has been largely dormant, but a hearing in the Senate is scheduled for next week.
However, it may not be all smooth sailing; the land casino industry wants DFS treated as a gambling enterprise and subject to the same regulation and restrictions with which it has to comply, and legal experts have warned that if DFS is regarded as gambling, any such expansion must under the state constitution be the subject of a referendum.
