New Jersey Legalizes Daily Fantasy Sports

sports-betting-sites-400x306Daily fantasy sports operators, FanDuel and DraftKings, congratulated the New Jersey government for taking the steps to formally approve DFS betting within the state.  Both companies already operate in New Jersey since they have, in the past, received approval by the Division of Gaming Enforcement that they fall within the realms of gambling laws in the state. However, the move will now legitimize their presence under new state law and will also mean that they will need to apply for a license through the Division of Consumer Affairs.The bill was signed into law by Governor Chris Christie in recent days and will take effect within the next 90 days.

Some of the key points of the new law include:

  • DFS operators will have to pay taxes on their gross gaming revenue.
  • The rate will be 10.5% tax on revenue derived from New Jersey DFS players.
  • Only players 18 years old and over can bet on DFS games.
  • DFS operators will be  allowed to partner with Atlantic City casinos and state racetracks.

The state hopes to make around $6.6 million in tax by legalizing daily fantasy sports betting.

The state senate actually approved A 3532 (also known as S 1982) at the beginning of July this year, but it was only signed into law by Christie last week. While New Jersey is the 16th state to pass DFS betting laws, it is the first to allow wagering on college games.

A statement put out jointly by DraftKings and FanDuel last week read: “Today, Governor Christie signed into law a bill establishing a comprehensive, lasting regulatory framework for fantasy sports in New Jersey. By taking this action, New Jersey is now the sixteenth state to enact a law protecting fantasy sports fans and guaranteeing their right to play the games they love, while establishing rules to protect consumers as the industry grows and ensure the continued integrity of fantasy sports contests.”
“The law establishes multiple layers of oversight, placing New Jersey at the forefront of consumer protection nationally, and creating a new source of tax revenue with major potential for growth in the state,” continued the statement. “On behalf of nearly 1.5 million fantasy sports fans in New Jersey, we want to thank Governor Christie and the legislature – especially Senators Sarlo, Stack and Sweeney and Assemblymen Caputo, Mazzeo, Burzichelli and Brown – for coming together on this bipartisan legislation.”
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