DraftKings, FanDuel declared illegal gambling in Illinois
Illinois attorney general Lisa Madigan has declared daily fantasy sports sites FanDuel and DraftKings to constitute illegal gambling under state law.
The decision makes the popular games illegal to play within the state. Legislation is currently pending to except fantasy sports from Illinois’ broader gambling prohibition laws, with a bill proposed in the House of Representatives last month. The state rep who proposed the bill issued a statement Wednesday that he would continue working within the legislature to eventually allow the games to be played.
Danny Ecker of Chicagobusiness.comreports Madigan sent a letter to the New York-based FanDuel and DraftKings that they must post on their websites that Illinois-located players are not eligible to play.
A similar declaration took place in New York, where attorney general Eric Schneiderman’s injunction to shut down both sites was granted earlier this month, blocking the contests from being offered in the state. An stay was then granted allowing DraftKings and FanDuel to continue operation as they await another ruling from the attorney general.
