Virginia DFS bill makes progress

SB 646 marches out of the Senate with a 28-10 vote in its favor

A bill seeking to legalize daily fantasy sports (DFS) is making good progress in Virginia after passing out of the Senate following a vote in front of the full chamber yesterday. [private]

The bill, SB 646, passed with a 28-10 vote in its favour, with the state joining California and Indiana in progressing DFS legislation in recent months.

The bill now heads to the House of Delegates, although a hearing date has yet to be set.

If passed into law, the bill would exempt daily fantasy sports from prohibitive gambling law while establishing basic player protection measures.

Operators would be forced to register with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, paying a license fee of $50,000.

DFS employees would be barred from taking part in contests, while player funds would have to be segregated from operational accounts.

The bill sets a minimum player age limit of 18 years of age, and imposes a civil penalty of $1,000 per violation of its terms.

While a number of states have moved to explicitly legalize DFS, others such as New York and Texas have ruled the activity meets the definition of illegal gambling.