fantasy baseball illegal in Washington State?

Walla Walla · Post by **Walla Walla** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 5:29 pm

[ October 13, 2011, 11:25 PM: Message edited by: Walla Walla ]

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 8:53 pm

The rumors of Walla's retirement from "the sauce" were greatly exaggerated.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:15 am

Originally posted by Walla Walla:

From what I've read on the state law here that seems to be the case. Guess my days were numbered for retirement from the NFBC without my knowing it.

Any other states out there that have these laws?

Washington isn't even one of the six questionable states that some contests avoid John. What legislation do you have that says fantasy sports is illegal in the state of Washington? I'd love to see that.

The reason some contests avoid certain states is because state language is vague enough when it comes to contests that pay cash winnings. Arizona, in fact, has some of the strangest language that could allow an aggressive Attorney General to pursue any game of skill, yet you see professional golf tournaments there and other skilled events with cash prizes. So no state to my knowledge has any specific fantasy sports language enacted and if there is one I'll gladly bring it up to the trade associations in our industry. Send it to me here or at [email protected].

JohnP · Post by **JohnP** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 2:10 am

I think Walla Walla is in the State of Confusion.

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:00 am

Originally posted by JohnP:

I think Walla Walla is in the State of Confusion. Now THAT'S funny !

Thanks for the chuckle !

Walla Walla · Post by **Walla Walla** » Wed Aug 10, 2011 5:55 pm

[ October 13, 2011, 11:26 PM: Message edited by: Walla Walla ]

Hells Satans · Post by **Hells Satans** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 3:00 am

To the extent the Washington AG tried to enforce that law on fantasy sports providers, he would lose. Any state statute that would make it criminal would conflict with the fantasy carveout in the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.

Rainiers · Post by **Rainiers** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 6:10 am

Walla Walla has a right to be confused because he and I both live in Washington State, where state employees all too commonly distribute incorrect information that contains inaccurate and/or misleading statements.

While it is perfectly legal for us Washingtonians to participate in the NFBC, you wouldn't know it by reading the state-published brochure that Walla Walla references. Written with a very narrow focus, the brochure does not point out that live participation within other juristictictions, e.g., Las Vegas, St.Louis, Chicago, etc., is perfectly OK for us to do. It also does not point out, as Hells Satans correctly does above, that the state has no legal right to restrict us from playing fantasy sports on the internet.

Hells Satans · Post by **Hells Satans** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:29 am

Originally posted by Rainiers:

Walla Walla has a right to be confused because he and I both live in Washington State, where state employees all too commonly distribute incorrect information that contains inaccurate and/or misleading statements.

While it is perfectly legal for us Washingtonians to participate in the NFBC, you wouldn't know it by reading the state-published brochure that Walla Walla references. Written with a very narrow focus, the brochure does not point out that live participation within other juristictictions, e.g., Las Vegas, St.Louis, Chicago, etc., is perfectly OK for us to do. It also does not point out, as Hells Satans correctly does above, that the state has no legal right to restrict us from playing fantasy sports on the internet. Exactly. It's been a while since law school, but the federal government's ability to pass the UIGEA is premised on the interstate commerce clause. Under the supremacy clause, states generally have no ability to regulate interstate commerce, particular where the federal government has spoken. If a Washington fantasy provider was running a Washington-only fantasy league, the story might be different.

Dub · Post by **Dub** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:46 am

Originally posted by Walla Walla:

In 1973, when the Gambling Act was first passed, 100 square sports pool boards were authorized. This is the only type of sports betting allowed in Washington State. Bracket pools, office sports pools, and fantasy sports have never been authorized as gambling activities in Washington State and are illegal. See our Sports Wagering brochure at http://www.wsgc.wa.gov/newsletters/5-206.pdf.

Greg, I didn't make this one up, It's a State government web site. Due to interstate commerce laws, Greg couldn't hold a draft there, but playing over the Internet with a company from a state where it is allowable is why it is legal in short order.

PS: Hells you beat me to it- I read your post before I hit send- but I love being right

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:56 am

Originally posted by Hells Satans:

quote:Originally posted by Rainiers:

Walla Walla has a right to be confused because he and I both live in Washington State, where state employees all too commonly distribute incorrect information that contains inaccurate and/or misleading statements.

While it is perfectly legal for us Washingtonians to participate in the NFBC, you wouldn't know it by reading the state-published brochure that Walla Walla references. Written with a very narrow focus, the brochure does not point out that live participation within other juristictictions, e.g., Las Vegas, St.Louis, Chicago, etc., is perfectly OK for us to do. It also does not point out, as Hells Satans correctly does above, that the state has no legal right to restrict us from playing fantasy sports on the internet. Exactly. It's been a while since law school, but the federal government's ability to pass the UIGEA is premised on the interstate commerce clause. Under the supremacy clause, states generally have no ability to regulate interstate commerce, particular where the federal government has spoken. If a Washington fantasy provider was running a Washington-only fantasy league, the story might be different. [/QUOTE]That's what I would have said!!!

Walla Walla · Post by **Walla Walla** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 9:59 am

[ October 13, 2011, 11:27 PM: Message edited by: Walla Walla ]

Dub · Post by **Dub** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 12:18 pm

Originally posted by Walla Walla:

Thank you! Geez... It's the law but not really because another law over rides this law. States are allowed to make thier own laws unless the Federal Government says no. Got it I think.

Yes I'm in the confused state!

California, and 17 other states legalized medical marijuana. The feds have not- they can close down a clinic any time they want as it is federally illegal. When W was in office this was a common practice. With Obama, not so much.