Texas lawmaker introduces three DFS related bills

Texas State Representative Richard Peña Raymond introduced no less than three DFS-related bills into the Texas legislature this week proposing fantasy sports be classified as legal, skill-based games, going against Attorney General Ken Paxton’s opinion which was handed down last year (see previous  reports).

HB 1418, HB 1422 and HB 1457 relate to the legalisation, reclassification and regulation of fantasy games, details a registration requirement and fee of $5,000 and an annual renewal fee of $5,000, details the prevention of insider information trading and civil penalties of $1,000 for violations of the law. HB1457 includes additional provision regarding insider trading which would give the State Attorney General power to stop fantasy sports operations if they are found to have flouted the rules of the proposal.

“If you don’t think fantasy football is a game of skill, then you haven’t played it,” Raymond said. “This is something that government shouldn’t stick its nose into. A government shouldn’t take away our right to play fantasy football.”

Scott Dunaway, spokesman for Texas Fantasy Sports Alliance (TFSA) said, “TFSA applauds Rep. Raymond for proposing legislation that clarifies the right of Texans to play fantasy sports, while also providing consumer protections, and allowing this growing industry to prosper in Texas. We are confident the legislature will follow their lead by affirming the legality of this extremely popular leisure-time activity.”

“HB-1457 will clarify a confusing and ambiguous law and affirm that fantasy sports are legal in Texas,” said Rep. Raymond. “The government should not be limiting the freedom of Texans to participate in fantasy sports contests, which are clearly a game of skill, not chance.”

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