DFS debate arrives in Texas
The Lone Star State is the latest to join the daily fantasy sports debate this year.
US.- Another daily fantasy sports bill has been introduced in Texas’ Senate in order to legislate the billion-dollar industry. State lawmakers are considering three official projects to legalise the sector, H 1457, H 1422 and H 1418. The last one was presented on Wednesday by Texas’ Representative Richard Peña Raymond.
“If you don’t think fantasy football is a game of skill, then you haven’t played it,” expressed the politician. “This is something that the government shouldn’t stick its nose into. A government shouldn’t take away our right to play fantasy football.” The bill would legalise daily fantasy sports by considering it as games of skill.
Texas’ Representatives John Kuempel (R-Seguin), Rodney Anderson (R-Grand Prairie), James White (R-Hillister) and Abel Herrero (D-Robstown) are also sponsors of the legislation. Legal daily fantasy sports operators, such as DraftKings and FanDuel, would have to contribute with a registration fee of US$5,000 with the Texas secretary of state.
Under the regulation the government would also receive US$5,000 per company’s renewal fee. Last year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton began a battle against the DFS industry by considering it as illegal gambling. FanDuel has left the State, whilst DraftKings supports the legalisation attempts.
