Groups Demand NFL Shut Down Fantasy Football Site That Targets Children
In light of all the hoopla surrounding the legality of Daily Fantasy Sports websites like DraftKings and FanDuel, two groups In light of all the hoopla surrounding the legality of Daily Fantasy Sports websites like DraftKings and FanDuel, two groups have stepped forward urging the NFL to get rid of its own fantasy sports site that targets prepubescent boys between the ages of 6 and 12.
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In a letter [PDF] to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and the National Council on Problem Gaming argue that NFL Rush Fantasy “has the trappings of DFS —including frequent contests requiring constant attention to lineups and the incentive of valuable prizes.”
NFL Rush Fantasy allows youngsters to build fantasy teams using players from real NFL franchises based on the season long and Daily Fantasy Sports models. It rewards the best fantasy players with prizes like scholarships, trips to the Pro Bowl, and video game consoles.
While the contests are free to enter, opponents of the NFL fantasy site contend it is a springboard for addiction to real money Daily Fantasy games.
“Encouraging such activity in the classroom gives the imprimatur of the school in the eyes of impressionable young minds,” argue the groups, who are calling on the NFL to put and end to the programs. “Educators should not be called upon to assist the NFL in promoting an activity which is potentially harmful and addictive when engaged in by children.”
The two groups also contend that NFL Rush Fantasy fails to provide proper safeguards.
“Registrants are asked to provide the email address of a parent, so the NFL can verify age and permission for the child to play. But a child can easily provide some other email address, so that they or a friend can send the purported permission, thereby circumventing the parental approval,” reads the letter.
It is unclear what, if any, actions the NFL plans to take in response to the letter.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
