Fantasy football fans have no fear: FanDuel and DraftKings will accept bets this weekend
The fantasy sports website DraftKings is shown on October 16, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Credit: Getty Images / Scott Olson
If you’re a New Yorker craving some fantasy football action this weekend and worried that your DraftKings or FanDuel account won’t be able to take your entries, there is good news. Your bet’s on for the weekend, if not longer.
On Tuesday, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sent both companies a notice asking them to cease and desist their operations within five days, but officials at the AG’s office say that really means five business days. Even in the worst case, New Yorkers will be able to play through next Tuesday.
And they may be able to play longer than that. Both betting companies argue that daily and weekly fantasy games in sports ranging from football to NASCAR are legal in the Empire State. No voluntary compliance from them. They say it will take a judge’s order to make them stop doing business with New York players.
Schneiderman contends the daily fantasy games are gambling, unlike season-long fantasy leagues, and are expressly forbidden by state law. The companies counter that a 2006 federal law defines fantasy games as separate from gambling and creates a legal carve-out for them
Odds are it’s going to be a very complex and drawn out legal battle.
