Texas Says DFS Sites Violate State Gambling LawsDraftKings Says It Will Still Do Business In Lone Star State |
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Texas is the latest state to take a hard position against daily fantasy sports sites.
The Lone Star State’s Attorney General said Tuesday in a nine-page opinion that the games are illegal under state law. Texas is known for not being that welcoming to gambling.
“It is prohibited gambling in Texas if you bet on the performance of a participant in a sporting event and the house takes a cut,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a press release.
“It’s my duty as Attorney General to look to the law, as passed by the people’s representatives, to answer the questions put to this office. Paid daily ‘fantasy sports’ operators claim they can legally operate as an unregulated house, but none of their arguments square with existing Texas law."
According to LegalSportsReport, research from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming said that Texas accounted for roughly 300,000 unique paying players for the DFS industry in 2015. That’s about eight percent of the market and thus would be a big loss if they are forced out there.
DFS operators, like companies in the poker industry, rightfully argue a large skill component to the games. That doesn’t matter in Texas, Paxton said. State law only requires “partial chance” for something to be gambling. In other words, it does not require that chance predominate.
According to Texas, the opinion on DFS sites underscores the legality of traditional, season-long leagues, which don’t involve a third party taking a cut of the prize pool.
The opinion also said that under Texas law it is a crime to play on the sites “because the outcome of games in daily fantasy sports leagues depends partially on chance, an individual’s payment of a fee to participate in such activities is a bet.”
Last year, Nevada and New York said that DFS sites are in violation of their respective state law. The sites recently won a ruling to stay open in New York while the lawsuits unfold. The top DFS sites left the Silver State rather than challenging the ruling there because Nevada’s market was so small.
DraftKings said in a statement about the Texas opinion that it will continue doing business there. FanDuel has yet to release a statement.
“We strongly disagree with the Attorney General’s prediction about what the courts may or may not do if ever presented with the issue of whether daily fantasy sports are legal under Texas law,” DraftKings said. “The Texas Legislature has expressly authorized games of skill, and daily fantasy sports are a game of skill. The Attorney General’s prediction is predicated on a fundamental misunderstanding of DFS. We intend to continue to operate openly and transparently in Texas.”
The news drew the criticism of Texas-based billionaire Mark Cuban, who is also an investor in a company within the industry.
.@KenPaxtonTX what a disappointment re DFS You certainly don't represent the views of Texans.
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 19, 2016
Let's be clear. More skill is required for DFS than picking stocks. Luck is required to win at picking stocks It's not required 4 DFS
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 19, 2016
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