SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
With the case for daily fantasy sports looking somewhat bleak in New York and a host of other states, industry operators, players and fans will be encouraged to see Virginia looking like it will move in the opposite direction.
On Wednesday the Virginia State Assembly passed a measure setting up a legal framework for daily fantasy sports. This legislation was, in turn, sent to Governor Terry McAuliffe who most are expecting to sign it and make it official.
This would be a huge boost for the DFS industry and would mean that the state of Virginia would become the first with a legal framework for daily fantasy sports.
In a statement emailed to ConsumerAffairs DraftKings’ Director of Public Affairs Griffin Finan said: “Today the Virginia General Assembly took an important step toward ensuring that fans in Virginia can continue to enjoy fantasy sports contests with thoughtful and appropriate consumer protections in place.”
He also said: “We thank Delegates Jackson Miller and Marcus Simon and Senator Ryan McDougle for their leadership in bringing a common sense regulatory framework through the legislature. We are grateful for their support and are actively engaged with dozens of legislatures around the country to replicate this success.”
The legislation would require the likes of DraftKings, FanDuel and other operators to pay an application fee of $50,000 (£35,800) and register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
