Iowa Legislator Pushing To Legalize Fantasy Sports

[Greg Ambrosius]

Iowa is one of six states that the NFBC and many other larger fantasy sports game operators exempt from competition because of murky gambling language in its state law. But fortunately someone in the Iowa state legislature gets the concept of fantasy sports and is pushing to make it easier for its citizens to play in this space.

Here's the latest update from Paul Charchian at the Fantasy Sports Trade Association:

Iowa Rep Pushing Bill To Legalize Fantasy Play
Iowa’s murky sports betting laws have kept its residents from enjoying fantasy sports games and contests. But one Iowa state representative is hoping to change that. Jake Highfill has authored legislation that would formally legalize fantasy play, including contests. Crossing Iowa’s population with the national incident rate of fantasy play shows approximately 400,000 fantasy players in the state. That’s a potentially sizable gain for the industry.

Although we recognize that fantasy and sport gambling are wholly separate, it’s worth noting that Iowa is a friendly state for gambling. It currently offers casinos and horse racing. That may be a predictor that the state will be open to loosening its outdated sports gambling laws and embrace fantasy.

Highfill’s legislation is very similar to the bill that successfully moved through Maryland last year. But, it has one notable, and unfortunate, difference: a $500 annual cap on winnings. The cap will make it difficult for the daily gaming industry to support the state’s residents. Many contest players will earn more than $500 over the course of a year.

I’ve reached out to Representative Highfill and hope to hear from him. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Iowa’s youngest representative is pushing this bill.

More info here:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... ck_check=1

The bill is supported by the Daily Iowan:
http://dailyiowan.com/2013/03/07/Opinions/32247.html

[Fourslot40]

Just curious. What are the other states?

[King of Queens]

Just curious. What are the other states?

Washington
Louisiana
Montana
Arizona
Iowa
Vermont

[Greg Ambrosius]

Just curious. What are the other states?

Washington
Louisiana
Montana
Arizona
Iowa
Vermont

I am back on the FSTA Board and I can tell you emphatically that it is the Board's goal to tackle these state by state issues ASAP. Maryland was a questionable state last year until a legislator brought a bill up before the floor and got language changed to recognize fantasy sports as a game of skill that could be played for money. That's what Iowa can do, although the $500 ceiling makes no sense. There's no reason to support something like that. It's like allowing drinking, but only 1 drink per day. C'mon.

I think each state should be approached and asked its opinion on the legality of fantasy sports. Right now, big game operators -- especially the daily fantasy games -- are exempting citizens from these states because the language in each state's gambling laws are so vague that you don't know how the AG could react towards fantasy sports. At this point, no state has gone after one of its citizens for playing fantasy sports and there's no reason to think that any of these states will. But risk averse companies will continue to stay away from these six states until more definitive language is written towards fantasy sports.

Let's hope we can help lead the way. It's one of our top goals for the next year.

[BlindSquirrel]

Just curious. What are the other states?

Washington
Louisiana
Montana
Arizona
Iowa
Vermont

"Yes, Alex.......what are 6 states I will NEVER live in!"

CORRECT!