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Fantasy sports bill stalls in committee

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Illinois

* Crain’s has an update on the fantasy sports betting legalization bill…

The House Criminal Judiciary Committee today discussed the bill without voting on it. But the hearing brought to light significant wariness among lawmakers over the allegations of illegal lobbying.

Rep. Rita Mayfield (R-Waukegan), who was originally a co-sponsor of Rep. Zalewski’s bill, elaborated on yesterday’s Capitol Fax report that she was shown an email sent by a DraftKings lobbyist to a superior allegedly stating that they could get votes supporting the bill in exchange for charitable contributions.

“We have a former governor in jail for doing that,” Mayfield said during today’s hearing, calling the email “unethical and, in my opinion, illegal.”

“I am no longer comfortable voting on this bill. I have several members that are uncomfortable voting on this bill simply because of the implications of illegality,” she said.

DraftKings has denied any implication of impropriety by its lobbyists.

The bill wasn’t called for a vote today, but it could resurface in a few days.

Subscribers, of course, know more.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 2:58 pm

Comments

Question: Was the lobbyist expressing his opinion to his superior for how they could go about currying favor to gain support of the bill, OR was she/he insinuating to Rep. Mayfield that they would scratch their backs if she could get others to scratch his?

I’m not sure of the legality of the first scenario, although the second is clearly illegal.

Comment by The Muse Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 3:03 pm
DFS is a dirty business.

Hope the cold feet are catching.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Surely an industry that is under federal investigation for their own unique spin on “insider trading,” and has the cash to spend over $500 million in some of the most salacious advertising you’ll see (more than the entire beer industry) would never, ever engage in such behavior.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 3:10 pm
Maybe the Feds will figure out whose votes the lobbyist was planning to =get=.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 3:15 pm
Any chance the other (anti-DFS) side made a better offer? There are deep pockets on all sides of this fight.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 3:33 pm
DraftKings has denied any implication of impropriety by its lobbyists.

Of course they did - who would imagine that $$$$$ would buy votes, either in the Committee or in the GA?

Comment by illini Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 3:46 pm
Good! Illinois does not need anymore gambling addicts.

Comment by Mama Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 3:55 pm
Rep. Mayfield is a Democrat, not a Republican.

Comment by Sarah Mueller Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 4:21 pm
This sounds like Pay To Play.

Comment by Enviro Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 5:34 pm