Rep. Joe Atkins aims to clarify the law on daily online fantasy sports betting

Rep. Joe Atkins says that online fantasy sports sites have “sketchy rules, uncertain legality and alleged scandals” and are in need of “consumer protections.”

A preview of legislation on Monday says that he will introduce in 2016 would recognize every day fantasy sports betting as a legitimate activity, but require operators of Internet sites to be licensed in Minnesota.

“If you’re going to be in a multi-million dollar industry and you’re going to operate here in Minnesota, we just want to make sure people can count on you to pay those claims,” Rep. Atkins, a Democrat, told KARE.

He says that it is about making sure “fantasy sports betting is conducted fairly and legally” and making sure that the people who use these sites don’t get ripped off.

“You’re talking about tens of millions of dollars being wagered on a daily or weekly basis,” Atkin explained. “Right now it’s a very gray area legally. We don’t know if it’s legal or not, so the first part of this legislation says this daily fantasy sports betting is legal in Minnesota.”

But the same ruling allowed states the adoption of rigid rules. Iowa, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, and Louisiana have already banned online daily fantasy games. State Rep. Tim Sanders, R-Blaine, is worried that the Atkins’ bill may have a similar effect.

Daily fantasy sports are “like the gateway drug to full-scale sports gambling,” said Annette Meeks who is a member of the Citizens Against Gambling Expansion board of directors. That group opposes new gambling in Minnesota. It has connections to both the Indian tribes and their casinos and conservative political interests.

Also opposed to the bill are people who want to see the end of the daily fantasy sports in Minnesota.

Even If Atkins’ bill refers to a “fantasy sports betting” and tentatively ranking daily fantasy sports income such as gambling proceeds, he said that it’s not his intention to make DraftKings, FanDuel, or other sites admit to being involved in sports gambling. In an interview he said that he would be willing to work with companies to meet the concerns about the wording in his legislation.

The 2016 legislative session convenes on 8th March but that does not prevent the legislature from holding hearings on proposed pieces of legislation.