New York approved a bill legalizing daily fantasy sports in the state. Now, only a signature from the Governor is needed.
Since March, New Yorkers have been unable to play Daily Fantasy Sports, though they have not taken it lightly. They have rallied around DFS being a game of skill, and therefore is not gambling, going to great lengths to get back the ability to play. They have sent over 100,000 emails and made thousands of phone calls to legislators, and the legislators responded.
Senator John Bonacic (R-Orange County) and Assembly of Racing and Wagering Committee Chariman Gary Pretlow (D- Westchester) designed a bill that calls for DFS being a game of skill, not a game of chance. On Friday, the Assembly voted in favor of the bill, and in a pre-dawn vote on Saturday, it was approved by the New York Senate 45-17.
The bill will now go to New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and with his signature, New Yorkers will be able to once again enjoy daily fantasy sports websites like FanDuel, DraftKings, and Yahoo. New Yorkers were stripped of their ability to play in March when the sites came to an agreement with Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to cease operations in the state. In November of 2015, Schneiderman ruled that the sites could no longer accept wagers from New York residents, but the sites were given an emergency stay to continue operations until March.
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Schneiderman argued that the playing of these fantasy sports violated state gambling laws.
Under the new bill, the daily fantasy sports sites will need to get a license from New York State, and pay taxes equal to 15% of gross revenue after winnings are paid out. All funds received from these sites will go to fund education within the state.
The bill seems like a win-win for everyone involved.
Saturday, FanDuel tweeted out a thank you to all the people who helped make the bill happen.
Almost there NY! The bill passed the Senate. Thank you all who contacted your legislators. Your voice matters. #DFS https://t.co/TRThzs5gr1
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) June 18, 2016
They also sent a letter to their users, stating that they hope to be up and running in New York by the time the NFL season kicks off.
Statement from FanDuel CEO @nigeleccles on New York Senate passing fantasy sports bill: pic.twitter.com/HkymDXZMcE
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) June 18, 2016
There has been no word from Governor Cuomo’s office on whether he will sign the bill.
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