Massachusetts to rule DFS as iGaming
Massachusetts legislators could approve a bill considering daily fantasy sports as iGaming modality.
US.- As Massachusetts is debating legalisation of iGaming industry, a special commission proposed a new bill that would label daily fantasy sports operations as an online gaming modality. Massachusetts Special Commission on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports Gaming and Daily Fantasy Sports has voted in favour of the measure.
The new legislation could take effect in August 2018, when the state approves the expected iGaming bills currently debated. Daily fantasy sports in Massachusetts have been previously considered as “game of skills,” which allowed operators to offer legal platforms avoiding gambling regulations.
As response, local daily fantasy sports operator, DraftKing, issued a statement: “While this commission report is merely a recommendation, it runs directly counter to the economic development law that overwhelmingly passed last year designed to promote the state’s Innovation Economy. The commission’s actions today, as we and our partners in the fantasy sports industry pointed out time and time again, could restrain our company’s ability to thrive and create jobs here in Massachusetts.”
“These recommendations if ever adopted would put us behind every other state in the country on this issue, and send a troubling message to other startups. We urge Governor Baker, Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Rosenberg, and rest of the Legislature to reaffirm their commitment to Massachusetts startups and reject these ill advised recommendations in whatever legislation is finalised.”
