Lawmakers in Illinois and Maryland have introduced bills legalizing against-the-house Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests.
In Illinois, Senator Lakesia Collins has introduced the Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act, SB 1224, to legalize all DFS contests, both peer-to-peer and against the house. The bill places the Illinois Gaming Board as the regulatory authority over DFS activity.
SB 1224 also amends the Sports Wagering Act by explicitly excluding DFS from the definition of sports wagering. Operators would be subject to a 10% to 15% tax on adjusted gross fantasy contest receipts, with the gaming board determining the exact rate.
Operators would pay either 8% of adjusted receipts from the previous year or $1 million for an initial four-year license, whichever is lower. License renewals would cost 1% of DFS adjusted gross receipts over the prior four years.
Revenue from registration and renewal fees would be allocated primarily to the State Gaming Fund, with 85% directed toward state funding and 15% dedicated to programs addressing compulsive gambling.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Assignments Committee and will take effect immediately if it is passed.
Maryland lawmakers are similarly considering DFS expansion. SB 470, filed by Senator Jim Rosapepe and Senator Paul D. Corderman, alongside companionl HB 484, seeks to rework the definition of fantasy sports competition to include contests where participants compete against statistical measurements established by fantasy sports operators.
This would legalize against-the-house DFS betting in addition to existing peer-to-peer formats. Under the proposal, these contests would not be classified as sports wagering.
The Maryland bill further requires the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to implement a program by which players can voluntarily self-exclude from gaming activities. The Senate and House bills have hearings slotted for next month, while the legislation will take effect this October if passed.