House Bill aims to legalize fantasy sports in Florida

A new bill filed could legalize fantasy sports in Florida following the recent cease and desist letter sent by the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) to several operators.

The bill, filed by Republican representative Jason Shoaf, has sought to define fantasy sports in a way which would exempt it from certain laws.

House Bill 679 was filed on November 30 and would look to describe fantasy sports as a “contest in which a participant pays an entry fee and manages a fantasy or simulation sports team composed of athletes from a professional sports organization with the opportunity to win a cash prize.”

Adding more clarity, the bill says that fantasy sports would have to meet strict criteria, the first being prizes for the winning participants being established and made clear before entry.

It would also need all winning outcomes to reflect the relative knowledge and skill of the fantasy sports contest participants.

The bill continues to note that all winning outcomes would have to be determined by “accumulated statistical results of the performance of more than one individual”, before going on to state that winning outcomes cannot be based on several factors.

These include the score, points spread, or performance of a team or combination of teams and the single performance of an individual in a single event or pari-mutuel event.

It also adds that a winning outcome cannot be based on a game of poker or other card game or a participant’s performance at college, high school, or youth level.

Shoaf’s bill says a violation of the law would be subject to a $1,000 fine.

Should the bill pass, it could see the operators that offer daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests and pick’em games be allowed in Florida.