New Jersey Legalizes Daily Fantasy Sports Betting at Casinos

New Jersey Legalizes Daily Fantasy Sports Betting at Casinos

Weeks following a court decision that blocks legal sports betting in New Jersey, the state has chosen to offer daily fantasy sports betting in Atlantic City casinos as an alternative.

The state Division of Gaming Enforcement announced that the pilot program will begin April 22, and casinos will be permitted to offer fantasy sports tournaments or contests, either by themselves or in partnership with fantasy sports providers.

“The casinos’ vast customer base and the ability to have contest winners utilize the casino cage to accept entry fees for fantasy sports tournaments and payout winnings provides an exciting opportunity to bring fantasy sports tournaments to Atlantic City,” said Director David Rebuck, according to the New Jersey Record. “We see this as an added amenity, and beneficial to the casinos and their customers.” Many Casinos are ready to get on board, representatives from Yebo Yes Casino have stated that they would “love to host fantasy football as a replacement for sport leagues. Many casinos and fans  see this as a good replacement for the beloved sports wagers.”

However, commentators are already concerned about whether daily fantasy sports wagering is a violation of federal sports law, a topic that has garnered a great deal of attention as of late. Daily sports betting may be incongruous with existing laws that only exempt season-long fantasy sports wagering from gambling rules. In addition, the casinos will be permitted to offer fantasy sports betting on the grounds or online, giving players the potential to make wages even if they live outside the state. This may raise further questions about regulations and taxation.