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Rep. Zed wants fantasy sports regs

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Illinois

Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, will hold an afternoon news conference at the James R. Thompson Center to unveil legislation that would place new regulations on popular fantasy sports websites.

The legislation would ensure that placing money on games though sites like FanDuel and DraftKings would not be considered gambling, while also setting limits to prevent overplaying and to keep those under 18 from playing. The proposal also would allow the sites to check for back child support or tax liens before players could put up money.

Zalewski said the bill will serve as a jumping-off point for further negotiations on the issue, saying it’s a growing industry in need of consumer protections. Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, will carry the matter in the Senate.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:06 am

Comments

I would support these regulations if he also introduced legislation that legalized and regulated online poker.

Comment by Draft King Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:13 am
I always wondered how those sites are legal yet offshore Aruba based sports betting sites are not?

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:13 am
Good. Perhaps he picked up on some of the comments we all posted last week.

Casinos, racetracks, video gaming and the Lottery all are fairly well-regulated. FanDuel and DraftKings should be, too.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:19 am
“The proposal also would allow the sites to check for back child support or tax liens before players could put up money.” They should do background checks on all gambling machines!

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:20 am
How about we relax some of the regs on social games? Why make a poker game in Rich’s living room illegal while every place with two chairs and a table have slot machines and video poker? We have reached absurdity with our gambling regs.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:23 am
Good idea by commenter Draft King - legalize and regulate (and tax) what people are doing anyway.

Legalize and tax gambling on professional sports too while we’re at it. I don’t see much difference between entering a daily fantasy football lineup with Carson Palmer and the Arizona defense vs. wagering on Arizona to win their game.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:24 am
There’s a poker game in Rich’s living room?

Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:25 am
But it is gambling.
His legislation, if it passes, should also include STIFF penalties (I.e., jail) for behind the scenes manipulation.

Comment by Solid Dwight Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:26 am
Daily Fantasy needs to be regulated, but we need to give up the lie that it isn’t gambling.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:27 am
Arsenal - you are correct. I play plenty of Yahoo! fantasy leagues with friends. Guess what?! We usually have a pot of $$$ that is divvied up at the end of the year.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:30 am
It’s big business. The state should get a piece of the action.

I’ve been surprised by the NFL’s embrace of these sites, given tneir long-time public zero-tolerance policy on gambling. Robert Kraft and Jerry Jones actually have pieces of DraftKings.

Of course, the NFL knows gambling is their bread and butter. They don’t require that injury report be released every week just to satisfy idle curiosity.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:34 am
I think the discussion needs to move away from whether or not it is gambling. I think we can all acknowledge that daily fantasy games and poker all involve a certain level of skill that slots or craps do not.

On a side note, where the professional sports leagues claim to be against wagering on sports, they are the biggest investors in the daily fantasy games sites.

Comment by Draft King Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:35 am
I agree that there needs to be regulations on daily fantasy sports……but are there not other things to work on that are a bit more pressing

Comment by the q Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:36 am
===The state should get a piece of the action.===

They already do. These sites require players to complete tax forms when they win over $600.

Comment by Draft King Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:36 am
Word - do you ever read ProFootballTalk? Mike Florio - the site’s owner and a Sunday Night Football contributor - is an attorney and delves into some of the legal aspects of the NFL, its teams and its entities (i.e. NFL Network or NFL.com). He has noted on many occasions that Commissioners Tagliabue and Goodell were/are more so opposed to gambling on games - but not so much on fantasy sports. In fact, the NFL’s own website offers fantasy leagues and would have to know that side wagers are a part of it. NFL attorneys have fought wagering on actual games tooth-and-nail.

Here is a recent article on Governor Christie’s battles with the major sports leagues (and the NCAA):

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/09/christie_asks_for_re-hearing_in_njs_sports_betting_battle.html

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:43 am
Q - go back to last month when Rep. Franks made a stump-style speech on the House floor about his revenue ideas. He listed plenty of options and put more in print via various letters and op-eds. This is one of those ideas that wouldn’t really “hurt” anyone and could bring in enough to help pay for a portion of a program cost.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:46 am
==are there not other things to work on that are a bit more pressing==
Yes. But not too many legislators will stick their necks out on the budget/turnaround agenda. At least this gives them something to do while they wait.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:48 am
Robert

I have no knowledge of a game in Rich’s living room or elsewhere. In this case Rich = law abiding il citizen.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:48 am
===This is one of those ideas that wouldn’t really “hurt” anyone===

Yeah? Tell that to the IMA.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:48 am
Rich - just curious, but how would this hurt the Manufacturers?! Are the two entities we are discussing repped by them? I seriously have no idea. Thanks.

But in all honesty, how is a little bit of regulation going to hurt them? Would either entity shut down its ops in Illinois? Would players quit playing? Doubtful.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:54 am
Oooops. Wrong thread. Sorry

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:55 am
Okay. That makes more sense. I do suppose that DraftKings and FanDuel manufacture something - terrible, never-ending commercials.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 9:59 am
“Oooops. Wrong thread. Sorry”

Rich posted a comment in the wrong thread of his own blog. He left the erroneous comment up. He acknowledged the error. He (unnecessarily) apologized for the mistake.

By contrast, the Tribune allowed its editorial board member Kristen McQueary to change the substance of her notorious Katrina op-ed without any notice or apology.

Just in case somebody is looking for an easy way to sort the journalists from the pretenders.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 10:34 am
I second what MrJM says.

Comment by Zed's Chopper Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 2:12 pm
===I would support these regulations if he also introduced legislation that legalized and regulated online poker.===

Yes, bot, your owners would love that. Sadly for your owners, Federal law trumps state law.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 2:24 pm
===I think the discussion needs to move away from whether or not it is gambling. I think we can all acknowledge that daily fantasy games and poker all involve a certain level of skill that slots or craps do not.===

Yes, but the skill in question is “possesses sufficient mathematical knowledge and computer know how to exploit the random statistical generator”. Not, as your masters try to present it, actual knowledge of football or any other sport. I’d be stunned if most of the big daily fantasy winners actually watched more than half an hour of live gameday footage on gameday.

Of course, skill also means being fortunate enough to be employed by “DraftDuel”, so you can just simply exploit all of the information that is already available.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 2:29 pm
“Rep. Zed” has a good start and a very thoughtful approach to starting the discussion that will frame his legislation sometime in the not too distant future.

Keep pluggin’, Representative.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 2:31 pm
I see a “tax” of some type here coming down the road. Have to say that the way these group advertise they are really asking for it.

Comment by Cannon649 Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 2:47 pm
Thoughtful eh, Willie? Just like Rep. Sullivan’s reply. Lol. #YourWordsMeanNada

Comment by Georg Sande Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 3:16 pm
- Georg Sande -

Thoughtful has many meanings. I used them both correctly.

- Georg Sande-,

If all you’re going to do is NOT add to discussions… but try and troll me I’m humbled, but I’m scared of your obsession.

Try to add to the community. Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 3:27 pm
=== Yes, bot, your owners would love that. Sadly for your owners, Federal law trumps state law. ===

I do not have a financial stake in any of these companies. I am just an active daily fantasy sports player.

=== the skill in question is “possesses sufficient mathematical knowledge and computer know how to exploit the random statistical generator”===

Fantasy sports are games that are based on statistics so of course those that understand math and statistics are going to have an advantage. Just like poker players that have sufficient mathematical knowledge are going to have an advantage. At the end of the day, though, mathematical knowledge isnt going to make your card turn up or your player make a touchdown catch. It’s why they play the games and its what makes it fun.

Comment by Draft King Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 4:03 pm
Nothing the old blue dog detests more is when elected officials waste time on issues that affect so few. What’s next, a state breakfast joint?

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 4:53 pm
Draft King, regardless of the amount of skill or knowledge needed for fantasy sports or poker they still involve chance and a certain amount of luck, as you acknowledged. Therefore, it’s all still gambling.

Comment by MyTwoCents Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 5:45 pm
My Uncle Gino, you know the guy who walks with a limp and is always carryin’ around that little black notebook, he too would like dese sites “regulated” if you know what I mean.

Comment by Tony from Cicero Tuesday, Oct 27, 15 @ 6:34 pm