Major daily fantasy sports sites are preparing its allies on fantasy sports legal battle in Maryland.In preparation to the opening of Maryland General Assembly session on Jan. 13, two of the largest fantasy sports sites Fanduel and DraftKings have joined forces to mobilize players as officials look to determine whether or not the industry should be considered illegal gambling under Maryland law.
More than 100,000 Maryland residents who played in these fantasy sports sites have received an email urging them to support fantasy sports with Comptroller Peter Franchot.
“Your ability to continue playing fantasy sports in Maryland is at risk,” the email reads. “But it’s not too late. Let state Comptroller Peter Franchot know that Maryland residents want to continue playing fantasy sports. We support regulations that reasonably and fairly protect your right to continue enjoying the games you love. But some states have banned fantasy sports, and we are concerned that Maryland may be heading in that direction. ”
DraftKings and Fanduel have also retained Baltimore and Annapolis lawyer Frank Boston III and officials from the Annapolis government relations firm Perry, White, Ross & Jacobson as its lobbyists in the state.
Fanduel has also retained attorney Stephen Martino, former director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency attorney, to work on legal and regulatory issues.
Maryland enacted a law allowing fans to play season-long fantasy sports contests in 2012 and gave the comptroller’s office the authority to regulate it. However as the industry changed, lawmakers and regulators are now asking whether reforms are needed.
State Senate president Thomas Mike Miller have also asked Frosh to look at whether existing fantasy-sports operations are in compliance with it.
Franchot, along with AG Brian Frosh, staff for Gov. Larry Hogan, and officials from the state lottery and gaming commission met behind closed doors in Annapolis in December to discuss the issues.
Franchot is working to answering basic questions about fantasy sports such as whether these DFS companies are operating legally, that taxes are being properly collected and that Maryland consumers are protected.
Maryland legislature’s Joint Committee on Gaming Oversight planned a hearing on the legality of fantasy sports in the state December but has been postponed to give the officials more time to review the issues. The panel has not set a new date for the discussion.
