SPRINGFIELD, IL (KTVI) - Fantasy sports leagues have given rise to huge jackpots for winners. Some prizes are in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now some lawmakers in Illinois hope to pass regulations aimed at protecting consumers.
State Senator Kawme Raoul (D-Chicago) and State Representative Mike Zalewski (D-Summit) support legislation prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from playing.
“We’re the first in the nation to attempt to address this,” said Raoul. “I think it’s a good beginning.”
One fantasy sports league employee recently won $350,000 while playing in a competitor’s league. There were accusations the employee benefited from insider information. Both leagues have since banned employees from playing in a competitor’s league, and deny the winner benefited from any inside information.
The proposal being floated in Illinois does not look to tax or license online fantasy league sports operators.
“We just want to make sure we have some basic ground rules that protect the players, while at the same time allowing people to enjoy this new technology,” said Zalewski.
According to Zalewski, the proposal would prohibit anyone owing child support or taxes to the state of Illinois from playing. He said companies would be required to adopt some escrow rules, adding that the measures are aimed at protecting consumers. He predicted the proposal would not be introduce until next spring.
