Nevada bans DFS

[BK METS]

I have a feeling that once the smoke clears and everyone creates their bills and the threat is imminent to shut down fantasy sports as we know it, MLB and NFL will step in. I don't think the NFL really cares about anything but the bottom line and once they see the possibility of losing a lot of money from this, they will assist in getting this industry cleaned up without having to be run by the government. I personally know countless numbers of people who only watch the NFL, mainly women and kids, because of their fantasy team. I believe all of us know these people. The threat of losing that amount of an audience would force the NFL and to a smaller extent, MLB, take a stance on the side of fantasy sports at some level.

Let's face it... DFS is pretty much gambling. When you see so many big time, millionaire winners who have never played before, it shows that it is a game of chance and not a game of skill. But looking at the season long leagues such as the NFBC, you cannot tell me that it's the same. What everyone needs to do is fight to separate DFS from season long. I know that is not what some want, but that is what will save season long fantasy. Let's hope that the major sports take a stance in support of regulating the industry and not relying on the government to regulate.

[Gekko]

I've played both DFS and season long. Although there is skill involved in "drafting your team" in DFS, it really is a bit of a lottery. And when u are getting into the multi-entry tournaments when a single owner can cover hundreds of player combinations, the little guy has very little chance of winning. Less about actual fantasy football skill, more about "covering as many player combinations" as possible.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I'll give my viewpoint on the future of season-long fantasy sports tonight on the STATS Fantasy Advantage at 10 pm ET on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Let me know if you agree with me or not.

I have the notes that I can post tomorrow if you miss it. It's time to go off tonight!!

[Gekko]

BRING IT!!!!

[Fourslot40]

Fanduel is either seeing reduced entries or preparing for fewer players in the Million Dollar contest lately. Over the past three weeks, the total prizes for the contest have been reduced each week from 6M, 5M and 4M this week with 1st place also being reduced to $500K instead of 1M.

[Greg Ambrosius]

I had to write my thoughts out last night or I would have forgotten most of this. Here's the crib notes of my rant last night:

You know Tom, I’ve been in this industry professionally for more than 26 years now and I’ve never been more excited about its potential and more worried about its demise. And I’m serious about that. For years we battled the gambling stigma and licensing issues with the leagues and players associations, but in 2006 when UIEGA was passed it clearly stated how you could play fantasy sports legally and for cash prizes. It was our federal lifeline to running great season-long fantasy games, which were classified as games of skill.

The introduction of DFS in 2009 has turned out to be great for the industry, bringing us to participation levels never imagined before. I mean, there are now more than 56 million people in the U.S. and Canada playing fantasy sports and following pro sports like never before. 40 million play season long games. All of them just want more skin in the game, more enjoyment for their favorite sports. TV viewership numbers are at an all-time high and fantasy sports has had a big, big part in that. The leagues know that, the networks know that, even the players know that.

So how did we get to where we are today, where I’m questioning the demise of fantasy sports? Well, it started when it turned into a political game and a money grab by the states. And while trying to curb the DFS growth, legislators could kill off the season-long game if we’re not careful. Take Nevada, for example.

Last week the Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt wrote a very thorough, 17-page opinion on the Legality of Daily Fantasy Sports in Nevada. You should all read it. It’s good reading. Whether you agree with it or not, it cites a lot of past cases that run consistent with sports gambling laws in Nevada and so his conclusion was as follows: “daily fantasy sports constitute sports pools and gambling games. They may also constitute lotteries, depending on the test applied by the Nevada Supreme Court. As a result, pay-to-play daily fantasy sports cannot be offered in Nevada without licensure.”

Nevada is the only state in the country that can play that card. They can call it sports gambling and license it. No other state can do that. So this ruling appeases the Nevada casinos, it can still be run if game operators pay the fees and recognize that this is sports gambling, and Nevada can claim that they are also regulating the industry, although I didn’t see any mention of regulatory measures to make DFS safer for consumers. In fact, NO STATE has put forward any regulatory measures that would help DFS players.

Okay, why does this Nevada ruling affect season-long fantasy players? Because the vague terminology in this AG opinion has pretty much cast a net over any fantasy game that has cash prizes. Two points: He says that UIEGA is irrelevant to determining the legality of daily fantasy sports under Nevada law. Again, this is daily fantasy sports but UIEGA is the lifeline for season-long fantasy sports. Secondly, he states that playing for cash prizes is akin to sports gambling. Again, he specifically talks about daily fantasy sports, but it leaves it open to interpretation of all fantasy sports.

So right now we don’t know two things:
1) Can Nevada residents play local season-long fantasy leagues for cash prizes or is that now illegal in the state? Is the Nevada local fantasy football league with a $200 cash prize at the end of the season now illegal in that state? Heck, is Nevada now the 6th exempt state for pay-to-play game operators like the NFBC and NFFC?
2) Can Nevada hotels even host pay-to-play high-stakes events? We host NFBC and NFFC live drafts at the Bellagio, while FFPC and Scout Fantasy Sports host high-stakes football events in Las Vegas. Right now the hotels are uncertain if they can even rent space for these type of events, making Vegas no longer the destination place for fantasy players. How unreal is that?

So two things I’m asking for from the Nevada AG and the Nevada Gaming Control Board: Can you give guidance on this Nevada law? Are season-long games now exempt in Nevada as well without a license? Are local leagues illegal if they award cash prizes? Can casinos rent their conference center space to legally run high-stakes leagues who aren’t awarding any cash prizes in Las Vegas? We need to know.

And it’s not just Nevada that is in question, Tom. California, Georgia, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Florida are all looking at DFS and possibly pushing forward bills. Are those bills also going to be aimed at DFS, yet cast a net around season-long as well? It’s insane. Read the Pennsylvania bill and all you see is a money grab and no regulations at all. The initial reading would have made season-long games with cash prizes illegal in Pennsylvania, but I hear they are amending that bill now. The people crafting these bills don’t even understand DFS or the industry in general.

Nevada was a power play, plain and simple, to appease the casinos who unknowingly felt DFS was a threat to them. Trust me guys, it wasn’t a threat to you. But we’re asking for clarification there and to allow season-long to move forward. We’re also asking Pennsylvania and Illinois residents to get in front of these latest bills to make sure they are crafted smartly. Listen, residents aren’t asking for their state legislators to ban any type of fantasy sport, but they do want safeguards in place and trustworthy games of skill. We all want that.

The FSTA needs to step forward and put those safeguards in front of the DFS companies and do that soon. We know what is needed to be done here and it can easily be done. After that you have to decide if this is a regulated game of skill or just laws that get a piece of the action. Let’s make this work for everyone involved because it’s already been proven: Sports fans love DFS, they love season-long games and we want one set of federal regulatory rules for all states.

There are 40 million people playing season-long fantasy sports. Leave us alone. We’re doing just fine. Let grown men and women use their entertainment dollars for a season full of promise and failure. We know how to do this, so stop with all of this nonsense state by state.

I rest my case.

[Teufel Hunden]

"There are 40 million people playing season-long fantasy sports. Leave us alone. We’re doing just fine. Let grown men and women use their entertainment dollars for a season full of promise and failure. We know how to do this, so stop with all of this nonsense state by state."

I agree with most of what you listed in your post with a couple exceptions:

1) Many people are pissing away far more than "entertainment dollars". In a perfect world all of the participants would be smart enough to gamble with only funds they could afford to lose, but I think we all know that is not the case.
2) I don't think "We" are doing just fine. If "We" were then competitors contests would not have left town with money owed and daily sites would not be under such scrutiny.

With that being said, no I don't believe government intervention will make the situation much better. Nor do I believe it is a companies job to protect consumers from their own lack of financial discipline.

[Gekko]

Here are some questions:
1. Can Nevada NFFC owners continue to manage their NFFC teams this year? From what I've read, DFS companies have banned IP addresses from Neveda from being able to play in contests on their respective DFS website.
2. Will Nevada NFFC owners currently playing NFFC contests be eligible to claim/receive prizes at the end of this season?

[Greg Ambrosius]

What an incredibly strong and fantastic show of support for the fantasy sports industry by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver:

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/ ... -operators

This is the type of leadership and perspective we need to yes regulate our industry on a federal standpoint so that we don't have 50 different guidelines from 50 different states. Good job Commish.

Here it is:

NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Wednesday called for federal regulation of daily fantasy operators and said his league will continue its partnership with FanDuel despite multiple investigations into industry trade practices and questions over the legality of the contests under federal and state gambling laws.

In the first extended comments by the leader of a major sport since daily fantasy became engulfed in scandal two weeks ago, Silver told Outside the Lines that he is "nervous" about the recent developments but welcomed the growing scrutiny as a path to regulation that will protect fantasy players.

"There should be a regulatory framework; there should be increased transparency for consumers," Silver said in a telephone interview. "I think it would ultimately aid the industry. In fact, I think we're seeing the marketplace impacted, because there's not a clear regulatory framework right now."

FanDuel issued a statement echoing some of Silver's remarks: "FanDuel and our partners believe some regulation may be warranted and want to work with lawmakers to ensure fans continue to have access to all the fantasy games they love."

DraftKings did not respond directly to Silver's comments but also issued a statement.

"We strongly believe the games on our site -- and daily fantasy sports in general -- are legal. We are seeing a number of state regulators and other authorities taking a reasoned and measured approach to the daily fantasy sports business and hope that trend continues along with due consideration for the interests of sports fans across the country who love to play these games."

Bob Bowman, president of MLB Advanced Media, which has a stake in DraftKings, said regulation would be "welcome."

"It seems like a lead-pipe cinch that regulation is going to be coming," he said.

Such comments come at a pivotal time for the industry, which is facing federal investigations in New York and Florida, regulatory scrutiny in several states, the possibility of Congressional hearings and a spate of lawsuits, all at a time when FanDuel and its rival, DraftKings, are blanketing airwaves with advertising.

Silver said the NBA is "not considering withdrawing or backing off our relationship with the industry. It's something that we're monitoring very closely. And it's something that we're deeply engaged in on the broader subject of daily fantasy-slash-sports betting."

Silver and the NBA have sought to lead the national debate on sports betting. Last November, in a New York Times editorial, he called for legal, regulated sports betting, a dramatic departure from the previous position of every major sport. His public stance coincided with the NBA's announcement that it had acquired an ownership stake in FanDuel, a deal that the company's founder described as "a true partnership."

But after a DraftKings employee admitted that he released privileged information and won $350,000 on FanDuel, the NBA, like other stakeholders, found itself swept up in the fallout. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that a New York prosecutor is examining whether daily fantasy violates federal gambling laws. A Florida grand jury is reportedly investigating similar issues, including the handling of insider information, along with the FBI.

Silver acknowledged he is concerned. But he said he is also concerned about the lack of regulation in the multibillion-dollar sports gambling market.

"Are we nervous about daily fantasy and the varying states' reactions to it right now? Sure," he said. "But am I nervous about a $400 billion underground industry of sports betting right now? Absolutely. In terms of the very public positions I have taken on sports betting, my foremost concern is with the integrity of our game."

Asked if he thought daily fantasy is, in fact, gambling, Silver replied: "I don't, because of the legal definition of daily fantasy vs. what sports betting is. ... Daily fantasy, as it's currently constructed, is clearly a game of skill."

Silver said the NBA conducted its own analysis to determine that daily fantasy is legal, based on a "carveout" in the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act that exempted fantasy sports. That analysis occurred, he said, before the league entered into its agreement with FanDuel.

"We believe we are following federal law in this case and are clearly on the protected side of the law," he said.

Some legal observers believe that the NBA and other sports leagues with financial ties to FanDuel and DraftKings could be drawn into the investigations. Silver said the NBA has not been contacted by law enforcement authorities, nor has the league received a subpoena related to the investigations. Under a 1970 law, prosecutors can target anyone involved who owns, finances or directs illegal gambling.

Silver downplayed the extent of the NBA's financial relationship with FanDuel: "We have a small equity position in the company and a business relationship with them, but we are not a decision-maker with them," Silver said. The NBA acquired a small ownership stake in the company -- less than 10 percent, according to a source familiar with the agreement -- in exchange for making FanDuel the league's official daily fantasy partner.

"We didn't write them a check; we're not cash investors," Silver said.

On its website, FanDuel lists a senior NBA official, Salvatore LaRocca, as a member of the company's board of directors. But Silver and LaRocca denied that was the case.

"He's an observer, not a board member," said Silver.

LaRocca, the NBA's president of global operations and merchandising, said he attends FanDuel board meetings but does not vote and provides advice only "if I'm asked an opinion."

A spokeswoman for FanDuel confirmed that description of LaRocca's role, adding that LaRocca also receives all email correspondence related to the board. Shortly after being contacted by Outside the Lines on Wednesday, FanDuel added the word "observer" next to LaRocca's name.

Silver said the NBA decided to get involved with FanDuel to have a better understanding of the mushrooming business.

"It was our view that we're much better off inside the tent than outside the tent and understanding exactly what's going on with these businesses and being able to take knowledgeable positions in terms of how these business can become more transparent and ultimately develop a regulatory framework that makes sense for consumers," he said.

Silver said he believes that sports gambling has become so pervasive that the NBA has no choice but to participate on some level.

"The Democratic debate took place in a casino, with hardly anyone noticing," he said. "Forty-three of our states have casinos, 44 states have lotteries. That's the context in which we're operating.

"The industry exists, and it's my view that you have to engage in it. What's happened with daily fantasy is what happened with virtually every other industry that's out there: The Internet has disrupted it. Now that that's happened, what should our reaction be?

"My reaction is to engage directly. To the extent that federal or state regulators are stepping in, my reaction is, that's very positive, and we'd like to be part of those conversations. Because it's ultimately our game, our intellectual property and most importantly, what's at stake is the integrity of our game."

Investigative reporter Mark Fainaru-Wada of ESPN's Enterprise and Investigative Unit contributed to this report.

[Deadheadz]

Insider betting at DraftKings?

http://stubhillnews.com/2015/10/21/mich ... -arrested/


.

[BK METS]

What an incredibly strong and fantastic show of support for the fantasy sports industry by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver:

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/ ... -operators

This is the type of leadership and perspective we need to yes regulate our industry on a federal standpoint so that we don't have 50 different guidelines from 50 different states. Good job Commish.

Here it is:

NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Wednesday called for federal regulation of daily fantasy operators and said his league will continue its partnership with FanDuel despite multiple investigations into industry trade practices and questions over the legality of the contests under federal and state gambling laws.

In the first extended comments by the leader of a major sport since daily fantasy became engulfed in scandal two weeks ago, Silver told Outside the Lines that he is "nervous" about the recent developments but welcomed the growing scrutiny as a path to regulation that will protect fantasy players.

"There should be a regulatory framework; there should be increased transparency for consumers," Silver said in a telephone interview. "I think it would ultimately aid the industry. In fact, I think we're seeing the marketplace impacted, because there's not a clear regulatory framework right now."

FanDuel issued a statement echoing some of Silver's remarks: "FanDuel and our partners believe some regulation may be warranted and want to work with lawmakers to ensure fans continue to have access to all the fantasy games they love."

DraftKings did not respond directly to Silver's comments but also issued a statement.

"We strongly believe the games on our site -- and daily fantasy sports in general -- are legal. We are seeing a number of state regulators and other authorities taking a reasoned and measured approach to the daily fantasy sports business and hope that trend continues along with due consideration for the interests of sports fans across the country who love to play these games."

Bob Bowman, president of MLB Advanced Media, which has a stake in DraftKings, said regulation would be "welcome."

"It seems like a lead-pipe cinch that regulation is going to be coming," he said.

Such comments come at a pivotal time for the industry, which is facing federal investigations in New York and Florida, regulatory scrutiny in several states, the possibility of Congressional hearings and a spate of lawsuits, all at a time when FanDuel and its rival, DraftKings, are blanketing airwaves with advertising.

Silver said the NBA is "not considering withdrawing or backing off our relationship with the industry. It's something that we're monitoring very closely. And it's something that we're deeply engaged in on the broader subject of daily fantasy-slash-sports betting."

Silver and the NBA have sought to lead the national debate on sports betting. Last November, in a New York Times editorial, he called for legal, regulated sports betting, a dramatic departure from the previous position of every major sport. His public stance coincided with the NBA's announcement that it had acquired an ownership stake in FanDuel, a deal that the company's founder described as "a true partnership."

But after a DraftKings employee admitted that he released privileged information and won $350,000 on FanDuel, the NBA, like other stakeholders, found itself swept up in the fallout. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that a New York prosecutor is examining whether daily fantasy violates federal gambling laws. A Florida grand jury is reportedly investigating similar issues, including the handling of insider information, along with the FBI.

Silver acknowledged he is concerned. But he said he is also concerned about the lack of regulation in the multibillion-dollar sports gambling market.

"Are we nervous about daily fantasy and the varying states' reactions to it right now? Sure," he said. "But am I nervous about a $400 billion underground industry of sports betting right now? Absolutely. In terms of the very public positions I have taken on sports betting, my foremost concern is with the integrity of our game."

Asked if he thought daily fantasy is, in fact, gambling, Silver replied: "I don't, because of the legal definition of daily fantasy vs. what sports betting is. ... Daily fantasy, as it's currently constructed, is clearly a game of skill."

Silver said the NBA conducted its own analysis to determine that daily fantasy is legal, based on a "carveout" in the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act that exempted fantasy sports. That analysis occurred, he said, before the league entered into its agreement with FanDuel.

"We believe we are following federal law in this case and are clearly on the protected side of the law," he said.

Some legal observers believe that the NBA and other sports leagues with financial ties to FanDuel and DraftKings could be drawn into the investigations. Silver said the NBA has not been contacted by law enforcement authorities, nor has the league received a subpoena related to the investigations. Under a 1970 law, prosecutors can target anyone involved who owns, finances or directs illegal gambling.

Silver downplayed the extent of the NBA's financial relationship with FanDuel: "We have a small equity position in the company and a business relationship with them, but we are not a decision-maker with them," Silver said. The NBA acquired a small ownership stake in the company -- less than 10 percent, according to a source familiar with the agreement -- in exchange for making FanDuel the league's official daily fantasy partner.

"We didn't write them a check; we're not cash investors," Silver said.

On its website, FanDuel lists a senior NBA official, Salvatore LaRocca, as a member of the company's board of directors. But Silver and LaRocca denied that was the case.

"He's an observer, not a board member," said Silver.

LaRocca, the NBA's president of global operations and merchandising, said he attends FanDuel board meetings but does not vote and provides advice only "if I'm asked an opinion."

A spokeswoman for FanDuel confirmed that description of LaRocca's role, adding that LaRocca also receives all email correspondence related to the board. Shortly after being contacted by Outside the Lines on Wednesday, FanDuel added the word "observer" next to LaRocca's name.

Silver said the NBA decided to get involved with FanDuel to have a better understanding of the mushrooming business.

"It was our view that we're much better off inside the tent than outside the tent and understanding exactly what's going on with these businesses and being able to take knowledgeable positions in terms of how these business can become more transparent and ultimately develop a regulatory framework that makes sense for consumers," he said.

Silver said he believes that sports gambling has become so pervasive that the NBA has no choice but to participate on some level.

"The Democratic debate took place in a casino, with hardly anyone noticing," he said. "Forty-three of our states have casinos, 44 states have lotteries. That's the context in which we're operating.

"The industry exists, and it's my view that you have to engage in it. What's happened with daily fantasy is what happened with virtually every other industry that's out there: The Internet has disrupted it. Now that that's happened, what should our reaction be?

"My reaction is to engage directly. To the extent that federal or state regulators are stepping in, my reaction is, that's very positive, and we'd like to be part of those conversations. Because it's ultimately our game, our intellectual property and most importantly, what's at stake is the integrity of our game."

Investigative reporter Mark Fainaru-Wada of ESPN's Enterprise and Investigative Unit contributed to this report.

Finally a voice of reason and a big voice too. Adam Silver's comments gives the industry hope by seeing the big picture, underground gambling, as a much more urgent issue that needs to be regulated and legalized. He stood his ground while easily he could have abandoned their small partnership share of DFS and moved on. Way to go, Adam. You again prove to be far ahead of your fellow commissioners from the other major sports, by looking at long term solutions, not short term bandaids.

[Gekko]

interesting and strong comments by Silver. hopefully more folks stand up for season long games and begin to differentiate them from DFS.

[Rainiers]

interesting and strong comments by Silver. hopefully more folks stand up for season long games and begin to differentiate them from DFS.

Don't count on the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA) as a supporter of any such differentiation...in fact their position is exactly the opposite. It's all or nothing for them: https://www.perkinscoie.com/en/news-ins ... ngton.html

[ToddZ]

interesting and strong comments by Silver. hopefully more folks stand up for season long games and begin to differentiate them from DFS.

Don't count on the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA) as a supporter of any such differentiation...in fact their position is exactly the opposite. It's all or nothing for them: https://www.perkinscoie.com/en/news-ins ... ngton.html

While I have no idea what their present position is, to be fair that was last March.

[Donacion]

Local Nevada casino operator Boyd Gaming stated on their earnings conference call that they will NOT enter DFS.

http://m.reviewjournal.com/business/cas ... rts-market

[Greg Ambrosius]

interesting and strong comments by Silver. hopefully more folks stand up for season long games and begin to differentiate them from DFS.

Don't count on the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA) as a supporter of any such differentiation...in fact their position is exactly the opposite. It's all or nothing for them: https://www.perkinscoie.com/en/news-ins ... ngton.html

Listen, it's okay to take shots at everyone in the industry right now, but there's a lot of work going on behind the scenes and a lot of misinformation out there. I'm volunteering a LOT of my time to this on the FSTA right now as well. There's a lot going on and hopefully you'll see some positive results soon.

Its' true that nobody got out in front of this before it was too late (nobody expected the ad barrage we got in football) but now there are some things that can be done to help. Let's see if we get there before this gets out of hand.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Local Nevada casino operator Boyd Gaming stated on their earnings conference call that they will enter DFS.

http://m.reviewjournal.com/business/cas ... rts-market

Joe, it says they ARE NOT entering the DFS space at this time.

Makes sense. For a casino to operate DFS in the state of Nevada alone, it would be impossible to create a strong enough game with strong enough prizes on a daily basis, not to mention the technology investment needed. Obviously they'd have to do it with an existing game, but I'm not sure who would do that.

Something will happen in Nevada with DFS, but more likely it's just the next exempt state for DFS operators.

[Donacion]

Local Nevada casino operator Boyd Gaming stated on their earnings conference call that they will enter DFS.

http://m.reviewjournal.com/business/cas ... rts-market

Joe, it says they ARE NOT entering the DFS space at this time.

Makes sense. For a casino to operate DFS in the state of Nevada alone, it would be impossible to create a strong enough game with strong enough prizes on a daily basis, not to mention the technology investment needed. Obviously they'd have to do it with an existing game, but I'm not sure who would do that.

Something will happen in Nevada with DFS, but more likely it's just the next exempt state for DFS operators.

I corrected my post they were NOT entering DFS space I had a senior moment when typing. One area Boyd might get hurt on Sunday's they open their Showroom at the Suncoast I enjoy the atmosphere and I would guess almost everyone there has a fantasy team. We bet, drink, eat etc. if DFS for Nevada goes away I would guess the economic activity that swirls around fantasy sports takes a hit.

[Rainiers]

interesting and strong comments by Silver. hopefully more folks stand up for season long games and begin to differentiate them from DFS.

Don't count on the Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA) as a supporter of any such differentiation...in fact their position is exactly the opposite. It's all or nothing for them: https://www.perkinscoie.com/en/news-ins ... ngton.html

While I have no idea what their present position is, to be fair that was last March.

Your right Todd, that was seven months ago. And to be more fair, the FTSA was at the table and representing the fantasy sports community as a whole, which is a very good thing.

I didn't mean to bring this up to take a shot at past actions of the FSTA. What's more important is how are they going to react in California, Georgia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida and the other states sure to join them in considering state regulation. If the opportunity presents itself, like it did in Washington, to help carve out an exemption for season-long at the expense of DFS, are they going to do it, or throw the baby out with the bath water again? We shall see. I hope they don't walk away from opportunities for season-long contests in the future.

I understand that Greg is in a tough spot here, politically. He has tremendous allies and supporters of the DFS games regarding fantasy sports in general. Huge allies behind the scenes, because the NFL, MLB, NBA all are showing tremendous, measurable gains in television ratings because of DFS. You already see the NBA getting out in front of this, and you can bet the NFL and MLB are hoping DFS survives and thrives. Major media is feasting on fantasy content and capitalizing on advertising not because of season-long but because of DFS. I suspect that even within the FSTA, the big fish, and hence the political mover and shakers, are the the DFS companies. Depending on what happens next, the smart money may be to simply hitch your wagon to that enormous lobbying strength and get what you can through those efforts, while picking up the pieces ala Nevada afterwards we're you can't. Personally, I believe this IS the smart play unless we start to see the NFL and MLB start to pull out of deals with Draft Kings and FanDuel, and other major media support obviously crumble. If that does happen, it will be time, IMHO, to abandon the DFS ship altogether.

[Yah Mule]

Outside of New Jersey and Louisiana, you won't find local elected officials more receptive to bribery than the good folks in Nevada. Just throwing it out there.

[Donacion]

Dear NFL owners, ESPN, CBS, Fox,NBC.

There is really no logical reason to watch your pre game shows since I can't participate in fantasy as a Nevada resident. I don't really need to know rankings, injury reports. Other than following my Steelers or the occasional much watch game there is no particular reason to glue myself to the television. Bills/Jaguars ugh. Raiders/Chargers I don't think so. Cardinals/Ravens why?

While I'm at it if my interest in the NFL other than Steeler games, and the occasional must see games and the playoffs there would be no way I would risk my hard earned money betting games in the casinos where I have no idea who is hurt, match ups, really all the Stats following fantasy allows for. I could not tell you who the quarterback for the Bills is and who the running back is.

Baseball will be even worse might as well discontinue all my premium cable channels.

[TOXIC ASSETS]

Dear NFL owners, ESPN, CBS, Fox,NBC.

There is really no logical reason to watch your pre game shows since I can't participate in fantasy as a Nevada resident. I don't really need to know rankings, injury reports. Other than following my Steelers or the occasional much watch game there is no particular reason to glue myself to the television. Bills/Jaguars ugh. Raiders/Chargers I don't think so. Cardinals/Ravens why?

While I'm at it if my interest in the NFL other than Steeler games, and the occasional must see games and the playoffs there would be no way I would risk my hard earned money betting games in the casinos where I have no idea who is hurt, match ups, really all the Stats following fantasy allows for. I could not tell you who the quarterback for the Bills is and who the running back is.

Baseball will be even worse might as well discontinue all my premium cable channels.

Totally agree and I do feel sorry for those in Nevada and any other state, including mine (PA) where the long greedy arms of the government are moving into yet another area. Not because there is really a legitimate reason to do so, but as a money grab.

The Fantasy Sports Association better get the NFL and MLB involved immediately to start lobbying wherever it is needed.

[BK METS]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/illinois-to ... 1445902199

I personally feel this is an excellent approach to regulate DFS. It recognizes that it is an emerging market and doesnt appear to want to shut it down, unlike earlier reports.

I guess we will have to wait and see what the specifics of the "controls" might be.

Hopefully this is a positive step and maybe a mold of what other states might do.

[Greg Ambrosius]

MLB and NBA commissioners are now both strongly in support of the legality of fantasy sports. Here's MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred doubling down on his support of fantasy sports:

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb-news/46 ... gs-fanduel

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has already made clear he does not classify daily fantasy sports contests as gambling.

He doubled down on those remarks Monday and affirmed his support of MLB's partnership with industry behemoth DraftKings for the first time since the company became embroiled in controversy earlier this month, raising questions about the legality of DFS games under federal and state gambling laws.

"I'm quite convinced it is a game of skill, as defined by the federal statute. And I'm comfortable with the idea that it's not gaming," Manfred told reporters in Kansas City before the start of the World Series. "I think the thing that's important to remember ... there's a huge difference between Rob Manfred, citizen, betting on whether Kansas City beats Toronto or whomever on the one hand, and Rob Manfred picking nine guys off 18 teams to try to see if he can accumulate more points within a given set of guidelines than a hundred guys trying to do the same thing.

"I see those differently. Forget the law for a minute. I see those as very different dynamics."

Manfred has spoken in the past about MLB's equity stake in DraftKings, the official fantasy site of the league. But that was before one of the site's employees inadvertently published internal data the same weekend he won $350,000 in a contest on rival FanDuel, inciting cries of insider trading and sparking a nationwide debate over whether a 2006 federal gambling legislation should apply to fantasy sports.

"We did thoroughly investigate the games that were available on the site," Manfred said. "That was a major factor in terms of selecting a partner in the fantasy space. And we were completely comfortable with the idea that those games were consistent with the existing federal law."

Manfred's support comes as federal agents and lawmakers are taking a closer look at daily fantasy sports business practices. A handful of states, including Georgia and Florida, are openly considering joining other states that have already banned the contests.

Nevada regulators on Oct. 15 ruled daily contests are a form of gambling and must obtain a state license or cease operations. DraftKings and FanDuel, the industry's two most visible brands, both said they would not seek a Nevada license.

MLB, which of course has endured its share of famous gambling scandals throughout its long history, prohibits players from joining daily fantasy games of any kind. Other professional sports leagues such as the NFL, NHL and NBA also have partnerships with DraftKings, FanDuel or both and impose varying restrictions among players.

Amid legal uncertainties, at least one NFL team has said it would consider ending its relationship with DFS companies should its state find the games illegal.

Manfred, though, joins NBA commissioner Adam Silver in his belief that well-regulated daily fantasy sports contests would have a positive impact.

"I really don't have regrets about our involvement with fantasy," Manfred said. "I think that fantasy is an important source of fan engagement. It has been for a long time."

[Fourslot40]

Rob Manfred was interviewed on Mike & Mike this morning and he reiterated his opinion that DFS is not gambling in his opinion and that the main concern is that the games are played on an equal platform through regulation. He alluded that so long as the federal law does not change, neither will their relationship with Draft Kings.

After the interview, Mike & Mike went on record to say that they feel DFS is gambling, however that they are ok with it seeing what it brings as far as advertising money and fan appeal. Draft Kings is a sponsor of the Mike & Mike show.