Iowa Fantasy Sports Bill Approved by Senate Subcommittee
In a previous post, we detailed the developments of Iowa’s newly-proposed fantasy sports bill that is currently assigned to an Iowa State Senate subcommittee for approval. Unlike the previous incarnation of the fantasy sports bill, which died within a Senate subcommittee, the current bill was approved by the Senate subcommittee earlier this week and is now pending before the Senate State Government Committee awaiting approval. If approved, the fantasy sports bill may finally be brought to the Senate floor for a full vote. It is encouraging to note that the chairman of the State Government Committee, Sen. Jeff Danielson (D-Cedar Falls), supports the fantasy sports bill, which will hopefully fast track the bill for approval.
Arizona Lawmakers Propose Bill to Legalize Fantasy Sports
In Arizona, online fantasy sports have long been classified by the legislature as games of chance and therefore illegal gambling, under the laws of Arizona. However, a newly proposed bill may change that by ‘legalizing’ fantasy sports leagues under certain circumstances. Specifically, the Arizona fantasy sports bill proposes that as long as the prize amounts are fixed and determined in advance of the sporting event, fantasy sports gambling will be legal within the State of Arizona.
While the proposed bill does not specify a limit on the amount of money or prizes available to fantasy sports participants, the bill does state that the value of the prizes cannot be determined based upon the number of participants in a fantasy sports league or the amount of any entrance fees. Moreover, the fantasy sports bill explicitly states that fantasy sports prizes must be based upon a series of sporting events. Fantasy sports participants will not be able to win a prize based upon a single sporting event or the final score or outcome of a sporting event.
We will be sure to keep a close eye on the progress of the Iowa and Arizona fantasy sports bills and post regular updates concerning same on our blog. The development of state-specific online fantasy sports bills is a significant topic for all gaming attorneys and those interested in Internet-based fantasy sports and gambling in general.
If you are interested in learning more about this topic or would like to start a fantasy sports venture, please e-mail us at info@kleinmoynihan.com, or call us at (212) 246-0900.
The material contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice, nor is it a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney. Each situation is unique, and you should not act or rely on any information contained herein without seeking the advice of an experienced attorney.
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