Purdum: Expect Broader Conversation on US Sports Betting at Congressional Hearing on DFS
Wednesday’s scheduled Congressional hearing to deal with Daily Fantasy Sports contests will also encompass sports betting in general.
The Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade will hold a hearing titled "Daily Fantasy Sports: Issues and Perspectives" at 10:15 a.m., Wednesday at the Rayburn House Office Building. The conversation will focus on legal controversies and consumer protections.
Rep. Frank Pallone, a Democrat from New Jersey, requested the hearing back in September. Since that time a handful of US state Attorney Generals and Governors have requested a review of the sector, or worse, demanded that DFS companies exit the respective state markets.
According to David Purdum of ESPN.com, a committee source and published statements from witnesses indicate a broader look at the prohibition of traditional sports betting and online gambling laws also will be part of the discussion.
The two largest daily fantasy operators, FanDuel and DraftKings, and the professional sports leagues invested in them chose not to attend Wednesday's hearing, instead opting to have the Fantasy Sports Trade Association represent their interests.
The NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball, each of which has partnership arrangements with either DraftKings or FanDuel, also were invited to testify but declined.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
