Ohio Senators introduce DFS legalisation bill

Ohio is to become the latest state in the US to consider legalising daily fantasy sports (DFS) after a new bill was introduced to its State Senate.

Sponsored by Senators Dave Burke and Cliff Hite, SB 375 would both legalise and regulate DFS activities in the state and allow resident to legally access games.

The summary of the bill states that it would amend current Ohio gambling law to “grant the Ohio Casino Control Commission the authority to regulate fantasy contests and to exempt fantasy contests from the gambling laws”.

Measures set out in the proposed legislation include a requirement for operators to make players aware of all prizes and awards in advance of all contests, as well as ensuring that winning outcomes are not based on randomised or historical events, and instead reflecting the knowledge and skill of each player.

The bill also includes an initial licence fee of $30,000 (€28,200), with the same amount to be paid as a renewal fee every three years.

In addition, the bill sets out measures regarding those individuals who would not be able to take part in contents, including people employed by a DFS operator and relatives in the same household, athletes or referees who play real-life games, people under 18 years of age, those located outside of Ohio, as well as people who wish to self-exclude themselves from contests.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission would also be given the power to set rules to define ‘beginners’ and ‘highly experienced’ fantasy players, thus allowing them to enter suitable contests.

“Our legislation creates state-level consumer protections for the growing number of Ohioans participating in these contests and achieves my goals for allowing Ohioans to continue to do so,” Senator Burke said in a statement.

“This provides common sense, transparency and protections for consumers.”

Related article: DraftKings confirms merger with FanDuel