State legislatures see flurry of daily fantasy sports bills

BOSTON (AP) The daily fantasy sports debate has spilled into state capitols nationwide, with nearly 30 legislatures considering proposals to regulate, ban or affirm the games played by millions of Americans.

The flurry of recent legislative activity represents a sea change for the industry, which for years was content to operate largely unregulated.

''We've been operating in this gray area for a long time, and, up until now, it hasn't really been a problem,'' says Peter Schoenke, chairman of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, which hired about 65 lobbying firms in 44 states to push bills favorable to the industry. ''What we want to do in all of these states is to clarify that it is legal.''

A 2006 federal law banned online gambling but specifically exempted fantasy sports, paving the way for the creation of the niche industry that's since exploded in popularity, prompting policymakers to take a closer look.

Companies like Boston's DraftKings and New York's FanDuel have argued their contests aren't gambling because the games require more skill than luck. But where it once shied away from heavy oversight, the industry is now embracing limited regulation, so long as it isn't subjected to the same exacting standards as traditional gambling operations.

''The laws of skill gaming and gambling were written like a hundred years ago and they don't really fit fantasy sports,'' Schoenke says.

This year's tally of 30 states with pending bills is up from roughly 16 states last year and two in 2014, according to GamblingCompliance Research Services, which has been tracking the legislation.

At least half the bills represent variations of an industry-backed proposal exempting the games from state gambling regulations and imposing requirements meant to protect consumers, according to an Associated Press review.

Among them is a Virginia bill that's the first headed to the governor for approval this year, following passage by the legislature last week.

About 14 states are weighing bills requiring a player be at least 18 years old. California and Maryland are considering bills with a minimum age of 21, as is Massachusetts through a rule-making initiative taking place outside the legislative process.

Most bills filed so far seek to impose licensing and registration fees on fantasy sports companies.

The payments range from a one-time, $2,500 fee proposed in Oklahoma to a one-time fee of up to $500,000 plus an annual renewal fee of up to $100,000 called for in a Florida bill.

At least two states - California and New York - have proposals to tax revenues from games.

''We feel strongly that there ought to be some revenues to help offset any negative consequences,'' says California Rep. Adam Gray, the Democrat who submitted the proposal. ''There are legitimate concerns that gambling and other gaming activities create significant personal challenges for people.''

In terms of oversight, the industry-backed bills generally call for companies to hire a third party to conduct a compliance audit, which is then reviewed by the state attorney general.

At least two states - Indiana and Maryland - are considering bills placing oversight directly in the hands of state agencies that regulate gambling, horse racing and lotteries.

Two others - Massachusetts and Rhode Island - are weighing bills that simply authorize their state lotteries to develop fantasy sports games but steer clear of the regulatory debate.

Industry watchers are concerned that some of the bills are still too vague.

Chris Grove, editor of the Legal Sports Report, a Nevada-based publication, says the definition of ''fantasy contests'' used in many of the industry-backed bills doesn't specifically limit competitions to sports. Fantasy contests based on award shows, political debates, even spelling bees could theoretically be permissible, he says.

''The broader and vaguer the definition, the more likely it becomes that operators will push the limits of that definition,'' Grove wrote in a recent analysis.

Schoenke, of the trade association, says the industry isn't opposed to bills refining that language, as some lawmakers have already done.

''The intent of my legislation is to define daily fantasy contests as those involving sports,'' says Illinois Rep. Michael Zalewski, a Democrat who introduced a version of the industry bill that includes the ''fantasy contests'' definition in question. ''I'm confident through corrective drafting and legislative intent, we can address concerns addressed.''

Advocates for problem gamblers, meanwhile, are concerned the bills don't go far enough to protect consumers.

''They're absolutely inadequate,'' says Keith Whyte, head of the National Council on Problem Gambling. ''Regulating fantasy sports without decent minimum standards will exacerbate gambling addiction problems.''

The industry-backed bill, introduced in many states as the ''Fantasy Contests Act,'' requires companies to verify players are 18 or older, ban employees and their relatives from competing in cash contests, allow players with gambling problems to limit or restrict their play and segregate player funds from the company's operational funds, among other things.

The National Council on Problem Gambling suggests lawmakers impose more stringent age verification measures and require operators to prominently post gambling addiction resources on their websites.

Schoenke says the industry is open to more specific legislative requirements. DraftKings and FanDuel say they already use a multistep process to verify the age and location of players, post gambling addiction information online and allow players to limit their play.

It's too early to say which bills will ultimately pass, but Jeremy Kudon, a New York-based lawyer coordinating the trade association's lobbying effort, says up to eight states could pass legislation favorable to the industry. Most, he acknowledges, will take years of work.

''Passing legislation is like getting into the Hall of Fame,'' Kudon says. ''Very few are first ballot Hall of Famers.''

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Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/philip-marcelo