Mississippi AG latest to declare fantasy sports illegal

Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has become the latest legal officer in the US to declare that daily fantasy sports (DFS) is illegal under current state law.

Hood revealed his decision on Friday during a meeting with the Mississippi Gaming Commission, after being asked by the state’s regulatory body to give his opinion on the matter following a number of inquiries from casinos and residents.

“Fantasy sports wagering is illegal in the State of Mississippi under current law both on a licensed gaming floor and outside of a licensed gaming floor,” Hood said.

“Any change to the law would be a matter within the purview of the legislature.”

Hood’s declaration comes after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxont last month also stated that DFS is illegal in the state, shortly after officials in Vermont gave a similar opinion.

However, the US DFS market, which has come under increased scrutiny in recent months, was given a number of boosts last week with the news that a number of states had progressed with plans to regulate such activities.

California took a step closer to regulation after a bill that would allow websites to legally offer DFS progressed through state legislature, while two similar bills in Florida were approved by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee and House Finance and Tax Committee, respectively.

Hawaii is also said to be considering restructuring its gambling ban after several bills were introduced in an effort to legalise DFS and lottery games in the state.

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