New daily fantasy sports bill introduced in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvanian lawmakers are faced with a renewed daily fantasy sports legalisation proposal this week following the resurrection by Rep. George Dunbar of his Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act HB2150 which failed to gain traction last year.

The updated bill has been scheduled for debate in the state House Gaming Oversight Committee on June 15, but will be under pressure due to a legislative deadline that comes into effect on July 1.

Importantly, the bill does not include a requirement that DFS operators must partner with existing Pennsylvanian land betting operators in order to secure licensing, despite the recommendations earlier this year by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

However, it does cater for land operators, allowing them discretion on age limitation (as long as the minimum of 18 years is maintained) and the installation of fantasy contest terminals on-premises.

The Dunbar bill also proposes a licensing fee of 7.5 percent of GGR accrued from Pennsylvanian players, or $50,000, whichever is lower, and a 5 percent quarterly tax on GGR.

It has provisions now familiar to DFS followers that include an age restriction of 18 years, a ban on competitions involving college sporting events and restrictions on DFS employees engaging in contests.

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