New York DFS bill sponsor ready for crucial hearing
A New York lawmaker behind a bill to regulate daily fantasy sports (DFS) in the state is confident that his proposed law can still be passed before the end of the legislative calendar later this month.
Sen John Bonacic’s Bill S6793A is set to be heard later this week by the Senate Finance Committee, but must be cleared before the end of June if DFS is to be legalised in New York in time for the start of the 2016-17 NFL American football league season.
The bill passed the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee last week, and is seen as the best hope of operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel returning to New York since DFS was ruled to be illegal in New York by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman last November.
Bonacic said that it is important that DFS firms operate within a legal framework and said that Schneiderman has already reviewed the bill.
“I bounced the legislation off the Attorney General, and he made one comment, a helpful suggestion, which we’re going to put in with an amendment,” Bonacic said during the meeting.
“Basically we said that this activity would not be considered illegal gambling and would not violate the constitution.
“So I think the AG would be satisfied with this legislation.
“We believe that there are illegal activities going on now, and consumers are not protected.
“Under this particular legislation there will be stricter monitoring, there will be more consumer protection, and there will be money to pay for the monitoring and the consumer protection.”
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