Tennessee AG declared fantasy sports “illegal gambling”

Attorney General Herbert Slatery wrote an opinion on the issue claiming all fantasy sports contests are considered illegal gambling.

US.- The Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery declared that all fantasy sports contests are deemed illegal gambling in the state.

In an opinion issued by the attorney general office, Slatery notes that gambling is defined broadly by state law.  The act “means risking anything of value for a profit whose return is to any degree contingent on chance, or any games of chance associated with casinos, including, but not limited to, slot machines, roulette wheels and the like.” the Attorney General stated.

Slatery goes on explaining that many fantasy sports contests require participants to submit a fee when registering and a financial prize is rewarded to participants who earn the highest amount of points. According to the AG, the prize is funded by the submission fees.

In addition, the opinion refers to the Sentencing Commission’s belief on the issue: “The commission intends to include any scheme by which value is risked upon a chance for greater value as a ‘gambling’ offense. The definition of ‘gambling’ includes lotteries, chain or pyramid clubs, numbers, pinball, poker or any as yet unnamed scheme where value is risked for profit.”

Winning a fantasy sport contest is partly due to chance, continues Slatery, therefore, the participants know there is a risk when taking part in the contest. Gambling is illegal in Tennessee and can be punishable by law.