A few weeks after Delaware passed legislation legalizing and regulating daily fantasy sports contests, FanDuel and DraftKings have resumed operations in the state, ending a 13-month hiatus.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie put his signature on that state’s DFS bill, officially legalizing contests in the Garden State.
As is the case with certain DFS products, companies are starting to find ways around the US’s arcane sports betting laws. One such company is PropSwap, a company that provides a marketplace for legal betting tickets.
DFS legislation update
New Jersey makes it official
New Jersey became the sixteenth state to legalize daily fantasy sports this week, and with nine million residents and a DFS product already offered at Resorts Casino, it’s one of the more important states to take the plunge this year.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement had already approved DFS contests, evidenced by the launch of FastPick at Resorts Casino, but the passage of the new law puts the state’s official stamp on it.
According to Legal Sports Report, Marc La Vorgna, a spokesman for both FanDuel and DraftKings, had this to say:
“Today, Governor Christie signed into law a bill establishing a comprehensive, lasting regulatory framework for fantasy sports in New Jersey. …
“The law establishes multiple layers of oversight, placing New Jersey at the forefront of consumer protection nationally, and creating a new source of tax revenue with major potential for growth in the state.”
La Vorgna also paid tribute to the bill’s sponsor, recently deceased state Sen. Jim Whelan:
“And we would like to give a special thanks to the bill’s champion, Senator Jim Whelan, who tragically passed away this week and was a true and tireless champion for the communities he served faithfully for decades.”
The DFS bill tally
The list of states that have passed DFS legislation comprises:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- New Hampshire
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Tennessee
The number of states that have introduced legislation seeking to legalize DFS in 2017 remains at 25, while the number of states with active legislation has been reduced to a dozen:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington
Legal Sports Report’s legislative tracker has up-to-the-minute updates on all DFS legislation.
FanDuel’ and DraftKings’ Delaware homecoming
Following the passage of a bill in July, FanDuel and DraftKings were also able to return to the small Delaware market this week, ahead of the NFL season.
Sports betting legalization update
The StubHub of sports betting
As Eric Ramsey wrote for LSR, a company called PropSwap has created a live market for sports-betting slips. The company is beginning to expand outside of Nevada.
PropSwap is similar to StubHub, in that it allows people to set their own price, only instead of seats to sporting events, they’re selling sports betting slips.
At LSR, Ramsey breaks-down the process thusly:
- A bettor in Nevada places a bet in a brick-and-mortar sportsbook.
- The seller uploads a photo of the betting slip to PropSwap’s client, enters the details, and sets the sale price.
- PropSwap verifies the validity of the ticket and lists it on the marketplace.
- A buyer purchases the slip with a credit or debit card.
- The seller mails the slip to PropSwap.
- PropSwap delivers the slip to the buyer via certified mail.
- The buyer redeems the slip with the sportsbook, either in person or via mail.
It’s an interesting concept that should have a future regardless of how the US Supreme Court case on New Jersey sports betting goes.
Sports betting legislation
Twelve states have either taken up the fight to repeal PASPA, or are exploring legislation that would authorize sports betting if federal sports betting laws were to change:
- California
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- West Virginia
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