By Nick Gale, 89 WLS-AM
(CHICAGO) Illinois lawmakers say they are the first state in the nation to introduce legislation that would provide oversight of online fantasy sports sites like FanDuel and DraftKings.
In light of a scandal where a DraftKings employee used inside information to win money on FanDuel, State Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Chicago) says the proposed legislation would require fantasy sports operators to prevent players from overplaying, allow the companies to check players for child support or tax liens and bar anyone under 18 from playing. The legislation would also define daily fantasy sports as not gambling under the state’s criminal laws.
“On a legal basis I don’t think you can make the direct comparison between sports betting and daily fantasy sports,” Zalewski said.
He also says the legislation would push for the creation of standards for audits of the fantasy sports operators. Several lawsuits have been filed against those companies.
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