Local News

Attorney General: fantasy online sports is gambling and illegal

Play daily online fantasy sports through FanDuel and DraftKings in Illinois? You’re breaking the law.

That’s the opinion from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan Wednesday who also asked the two operations to change their terms of use to include Illinois as a state whose residents are not eligible to participate in the online games for cash winnings.

In the opinion sent to state Representatives Elgie Sims and Scott Drury, both Democrats who serve on the House Judiciary Committee, Madigan says online fantasy sports is considered illegal gambling under the state’s criminal code.

Democratic Representative Mike Zalewski (zah-LESS-ski) says that’s why his measure in the House is important -- to clarify the law and allow people to legally play.

[audio:12261590314-zalewski.mp3] [/audio]

Zalewski says he will make House Bill 4323 a priority after the new year in hopes of making daily online fantasy sports legal. A similar measure has also been introduced in the Senate.

In the letter Madigan sent to representatives of both FanDuel and DraftKings she says in light of the opinion her office expects both operations to amend their terms of use until Illinois lawmakers pass legislation specifically exempting daily fantasy sports from the criminal code.

Townhall Top of the Hour News

Local Weather - Sponsored By:

CLINTON WEATHER

Local News

DeWittDN on Facebook