DraftKings and FanDuel agreed to stop operations in Idaho
The Idaho Attorney General’s office announced an agreement between DFS operators to stop offering their games to consumers within the state.
US.- The Idaho Attorney General’s office announced an agreement with DraftKings Inc. and FanDuel under which both companies have agreed to stop doing business in the state.
“The concern I have is that the paid daily sports offerings provided by these companies constitute gambling under Idaho law. Idaho defines gambling, in part, as risking money or other thing of value for gain that is contingent in whole or part upon chance, or the outcome of an event, including a sporting event,” said Attorney General Lawrence Wasden “My concern is that the daily fantasy sports offerings my office reviewed require participants to risk money for a cash prize contingent upon individual athletes’ collective performances in various future sporting events. As I see it, this falls within Idaho’s definition of gambling.”
Under terms of the agreement, the Daily Fantasy Sports operators, as of May 1, 2016, will not allow any consumers based in Idaho to participate in any of their daily paid online fantasy football, baseball, basketball and other sports contests. Both companies have also agreed to process requests by Idaho participants to withdraw their account balances in a timely manner. In addition, the websites will monitor Idaho players based on geoblocking technology or through IP addresses.
“I have a duty to enforce and uphold that law. I commend the companies for negotiating in good faith and agreeing not to make these contests available in Idaho,” commented Wasden adding that the agreement does not constitute an admission of liability or evidence of wrongdoing by DraftKings and FanDuel.
