DFS bill faces changes in North Carolina

A panel was forced to change the language of the bill as it stated that fantasy sports wasn’t gambling.

US.- A bill that seeks the legalisation of daily fantasy sports (DFS) in North Carolina has been taken down from a second committee last week as the panel was forced to change the language of the bill. As this is the second defeat for the bill, it won’t likely pass in this legislative session.

The bill, which doesn’t include sports betting operations, stated that fantasy sports wasn’t gambling. Sponsor of the bill Rep. Jason Saine insisted that the bill wasn’t aimed at opening the state to sportsbooks. “Let me be clear. This bill in no way authorizes sports betting or any other form of gambling,” Saine told members of the House Judiciary IV Committee.

However, the committee was sceptical because the language didn’t define fantasy sports as a form of gambling and exempted operators from possible prosecution. “I have a hard time with the definition of gambling and the suggestion that this is not gambling,” said Rep. Deb Butler, D-New Hanover.

Saine said that approximately 1.5 million people in the state already play DFS online and that the bill would actually address existing shortcomings, such as consumer protection. HB 279 requires operators to register with the Secretary of State‘s Office, pay an annual fee in order to operate and agree on an age restriction. “This just addresses the reality in this state,” Saine said. “Without it, it‘s the wild, wild West.”