Delaware passes fantasy sports bill
The House passed by 28-6 a bill that would legalise and regulate daily fantasy sports in Delaware.
US.- Delaware is one step closer to offer daily fantasy sports (DFS) as the state’s House passed a bill with a 28-6 vote. Almost a year ago, the Delaware Department of Justice (DOJ) had banned the gambling modality because it was considered changeable games of chance.
The bill that is sponsored by Rep Charles Potter, D-Wilmington, follows a series of states that have been trying to legalise DFS. Delaware Attorney General Matthew Dean announced in July 2016 that daily fantasy sports were considered changeable games of chance, as the statement that was sent to operators expressed that whilst a DFS player selects players and teams, they have “no role in how these players actually perform once the real-life games or events occur.” According to authorities’ observation, daily fantasy sports did not depend on the participants’ skills, but on the “unpredictable” behaviour of real life players.
However, the House feels different about the gambling modality, considering that the state is one of the few that legalised and regulated online gambling: in September 2016, gaming operators in Delaware saw their highest earnings ever since the launching of the sector in 2013.
“[DFS] gives Delaware an opportunity to make sure everything is legal, because you have people playing sports, betting on something that’s not regulated, and we want to make sure its regulated, and it’s an opportunity for people to enjoy the sport and for the state to generate some revenue,” said Potter.
