Madigan: Daily Fantasy Sports Betting Is Illegal Gambling
In this Oct. 25, 2015, photo, workers set up a DraftKings promotions tent in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Mass., before an NFL football game between the New England Patriots and New York Jets. Charles Krupa/Associated Press
Attorney General Lisa Madigan says that daily fantasy sports betting is illegal gambling under Illinois law. Madigan issued an opinion Wednesday declaring that the argument over whether skill is required in betting on short-term fantasy-team contests is irrelevant.
She points out that illegal gambling occurs when someone "plays a game of chance or skill for money.''
Daily fantasy sports differ from traditional fantasy contests because they are played over short periods - a week or even a day. Winners are decided on achievements of real players on virtual teams.
Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Chicago) introduced legislation in October to legalize the contests.
He said in a statement Wednesday that the opinion gives the matter "clarity'' as he negotiates legislation to make daily fantasy betting "safe, fun play.''
UPDATE: FanDuel released a statement in response to Madigan's ruling late Wednesday.
"Chicago may be the best sports town in the country. It's a city - and Illinois is a state - that plays fantasy sports like almost no other. "The League" is even set in Illinois. So why the Attorney General would tell her 13.5 million constituents they can't play fantasy sports anymore as they know it - and make no mistake, her opinion bans all forms of fantasy sports played for money - is beyond us. Hopefully, the legislature will give back to the people of Illinois the games they love. A sports town like Chicago and a sports-loving state like Illinois deserves nothing less."