Illinois Lawmakers Mull Regulating Online Fantasy Sports Betting

SPRINGFIELD — An Illinois lawmaker wants to continue to allow people to put their money toward online fantasy sports contests if they wish, but he says pay-to-play fantasy sports need oversight.

State Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, on Tuesday announced he’s sponsoring House Bill 4323, the Fantasy Contests Act, which he said will:

• Define what is considered daily fantasy sports in Illinois and ensure that it is not gambling under the state’s criminal laws.
• Bar anyone younger than 18 from playing.
• Establish “best practices” for the industry, including limits on how often a person can play, letting the sites check players for child-support liens and establishing audit standards.

Zalewski said his goal isn’t to interfere with players’ enjoyment but to provide sensible regulation.

In fantasy sports, participants open a real-money account with the game operators and — for sports such as baseball and basketball — can play daily if they wish. The fantasy teams are composed of actual athletes who are “drafted” for the fantasy match.

Operators such as DraftKings or FanDuel keep a certain amount or “fee” for administering the entire enterprise.

Zalewski said the industry is booming, and Illinois needs to pay attention.

“There’s a reason we see FanDuel and DraftKings advertising so frequently during Sunday football and other major sporting events,” Zalewski said.

Policy makers need to bring the issue into the light, he said, and the state needs a “thorough debate over how to best provide this popular entertainment and protect players.”

You can read more about the bill here, including what the bill’s opponents have to say about the measure.

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