There have been easier times to run a fantasy football site.
Pressure on those in charge of the games increased this week. First. Nevada became the first state in the union to declare fantasy football to be gambling. That means that sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel will have to have a license to operate there.
FanDuel and DraftKings have both become big, but critics say they operate on a business model that resembles gambling.
“Since offering (daily fantasy sports in Nevada is illegal without the appropriate license, all unlicensed activities must cease and desist, said a release by the Nevada Gaming Control Commission.
Fans in Iowa, Washington, Louisiana, Arizona and Montana are ineligible to play either DraftKings or FanDuel. In the past few days, the companies have had several suits by consumers.
FanDuel, in a statement, expressed disappointment and said the decision “stymies innovantion and ignores the fact that fantasy sports is a skilled based entertainment product loved and played by millions of sports fans.” FanDuel said they would cease operations in Nevada.
For FanDuel, that isn’t the extent of the trouble, however. The NFLPA, led by receiver Pierre Garcon, has filed a suit alleging the site uses player names and likenesses without their permission. DraftKings has a contract with the NFL Players Association.
FanDuel said the suit is without merit.
