Louisiana bill trying to legalize Fantasy Sports

Louisiana is becoming one more of the many US states that is fighting in favor of online gaming. The fact that some US states have criminalized and banned the online gaming industry, is bringing up real issues in the country. The online gaming market in the US is being stopped by a few land-based casino moguls who do not wish this online industry to keep implementing new developments and distribution channels. The bill that Metarie Representative Joseph Lopinto has introduced recently aims to legalize Fantasy Sports; he has filed Louisiana’s Fantasy Sports bill for real-money fantasy football contests in the state of Louisiana. The bill is trying to place Louisiana in the online gambling US map; the representative wants to ride the carrousel that the online gambling market represents, as it seems it is going around and around. Real-money fantasy sports are against the law in Louisiana if played online and, consequently, online fantasy sports leagues are breaching Louisiana’s gambling regulations. The bill would also allowed residents of Louisiana to collect their winnings, online, meaning real-money prizes.

State Representative Joseph Lopinto has stated: “We are not betting on the outcome of a game or a point spread. Fantasy Football is a game of skill. There is an outcry for it from many people who participate. We are not looking to create a major overhaul of the state’s gambling laws. We are just clarifying that this is not gambling. We are not betting on the outcome of a game or a point spread. Fantasy Football is a game of skill. Of the websites out there that conduct these games, in my opinion, we need to classify them correctly. Many have been clamoring for legislation like this to be filed.”

Louisiana bill would legalize real-money fantasy sports games, starting with football as it is one of the most demanded by daily fantasy sports players. The Fantasy Sports Combine is also bringing some personalities from the sports media industry, such as ESPN’s Adam Schefter: “Fantasy Sports Combine represents a live, premium education and experience in fantasy sports. What you are going to learn and participate in will dramatically enhance your ability to excel in fantasy sports while simultaneously giving you the experience of a lifetime. I am honored to be part of it and I look forward to sharing my unique perspective and insights in order to help you gain an edge”.