Iowa Lawmakers Look To Legalize Fantasy Sports

[Greg Ambrosius]

I'm happy to report that the Fantasy Sports Trade Association is working closely with a lobbyist and a lawmaker in Iowa to introduce a bill that would legalize fantasy sports for state residents. Things are looking up here and there's hope that a bill could be passed before Opening Day, similar to the bill that was passed in Maryland last year.

Here's the latest update, courtesy of Forbes:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcedelman ... sy-sports/

We'll keep folks up to date on this measure and hopefully this will pass soon.

The FSTA is also working with an Arizona legislator to introduce a similar bill that would allow Arizona residents to play fantasy sports for cash prizes. Hopefully other exempt states (Washington, Louisiana, Vermont, Montana) will see the benefits of writing carve-out language for fantasy sports and allow their residents to join the 21st century when it comes to the "new national pastime."

[Greg Ambrosius]

Here's a very good followup story in Iowa. We're gaining momentum folks and some smart politicians -- yeah, I actually wrote that -- are helping us out. Check it out:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... ck_check=1

[Greg Ambrosius]

We are one step away from getting fantasy sports legalized in the state of Iowa. This is going to get done folks. Arizona is next. Good news for everyone:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/gov ... s-in-iowa/

[ToddZ]

FanDuel is no longer allowing the state of Washington to play.

Sorry Walla Walla.

[Walla Walla]

If I was single without family I would move to Idaho. Next to a fantasy baseball pig farmer. I'd have a telescope pointed right at his computer with a 24 hour video camera to capture all his draft lists. But I'm not single and will have to drown my sorrows with a glass of scotch. Of course the scotch is probably taxed higher than the weed now. Bastards!!!

[Greg Ambrosius]

Here's the latest information on our push to get Iowa to formally legalize fantasy sports. When push came to shove in Iowa and in Arizona, the legislators caved to the legal gambling interests. Bummer all around. From the FSTA newsletter, written by Paul Charchian:

The Iowa legislative session has ended and, unfortunately, the fantasy sports legalization bill that the FSTA was shepherding did not make it to the floor for a vote. When the bill ran into opposition from the Iowa’s casino industry, the bill’s sponsor turtled.

FSTA board member Peter Schoenke heads our Legal Committee, and he’s been working directly on our Iowa effort. When asked about the future of the bill in Iowa, he said:

“Despite passing key committees on both the House and Senate side and having bipartisan support, the clock ran out on the fantasy sports industry's efforts to pass a bill in Iowa. The Iowa House did not bring up house bill HF 2383, which would have changed Iowa law to fully legalize fantasy sports. The Iowa standard for gambling currently does not allow fantasy sports contests that award prizes, as any play-for-cash contest violates Iowa state law, regardless of whether the contest involves predominantly skill or chance. The proposed legislation ran into opposition late in the process from the local gambling industry, which was reluctant to see any changes in the current law.”

Peter continued:

“However, the FSTA made a lot of headway in Iowa as the proposed law generated a great deal of press and many key legislators and stakeholders in the current gaming laws were educated about how fantasy sports work and how it's not threatening to the current legalized gambling industry in Iowa. The FSTA is hopeful that Iowa will take up the issue again in the 2015 session and pass the law. We were certainly encouraged by the number of FSTA members and fantasy sports players that contacted key legislators in Iowa to support passage of the bill. The FSTA may make a bigger push for individual fantasy players and companies to join our cause in Iowa next year.”

[TOXIC ASSETS]

When the laws are wrong --- find a way around the laws.
Are there really 6 states where playing fantasy sports could get you into trouble???

Sounds like what happened in AZ and IA had nothing to do with anything other than the legislators taking care of some deep pocketed contributors. In other words, the usual stuff.

[Captain Hook]

Arizona is next. Good news for everyone:

Not so much - Arizona legislature (which is out of touch on many different subjects) already voted down the first attempt on this bill

[Greg Ambrosius]

Arizona is next. Good news for everyone:

Not so much - Arizona legislature (which is out of touch on many different subjects) already voted down the first attempt on this bill

There was no vote. It didn't get that far, but we'll try again next year.

It is amazing that casino interests in each of these states are fighting hard against fantasy sports, as if this is a new form of entertainment that will take money away from their interests. And politicians are so afraid to lose campaign money that they don't look into it at all, either. Bottom line is that there is no way that fantasy sports is hurting the lotteries or casinos and it's stupid that six states continue to play hardball with our industry. State residents and media should make a ruckus over this.