Illinois AG also thinks daily fantasy is gambling
Until new laws are passed, DraftKings and FanDuel could be banned in Chicago.
DraftKings and FanDuel are already fighting to keep their doors open in New York City, and now Chicago is also at risk. Today Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan informed state representatives that in her opinion, daily fantasy sports games are unregulated illegal gambling. She did not go as far as the New York AG and attempt to ban their operations (yet), but she did send both companies letters saying they would need to tell IL players they are no longer eligible. Unless new legislation (currently under consideration) is passed, the two could find themselves permanently locked out of one of the United States' largest cities. In a statement, FanDuel claimed the AG's opinion banned all fantasy sports, and said it hopes the legislature brings them back. You can read the complete statement below.
IL AG Madigan also sent letter to @FanDuel & @DraftKings noting they will need to post on their sites that IL players are not eligible.
— Danny Ecker (@DannyEcker) December 23, 2015
FanDuel spokesperson:
Chicago may be the best sports town in the country. It's a city -- and Illinois is a state -- that plays fantasy sports like almost no other. "The League" is even set in Illinois. So why the Attorney General would tell her 13.5 million constituents they can't play fantasy sports anymore as they know it -- and make no mistake, her opinion bans all forms of fantasy sports played for money -- is beyond us. Hopefully the legislature will give back to the people of Illinois the games they love. A sports town like Chicago and a sports loving state like Illinois deserves nothing less.
[Image credit: Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images]
