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Fantasy Sports Ruling: Bet on Hypocrisy

It's not gambling because the government says so

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 4, 2008 9:39 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Fantasy sports are A-OK with the Supreme Court and the US government—even though they’re essentially thinly disguised gambling games, writes Jacob Sullum of Reason Online. Many leagues openly include an entrance fee and a cash prize—which seems an awful lot like sports betting. But it’s not, the government insists, driving home how arbitrary gambling laws really are.

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act contains a specific exception for Fantasy Sports, provided the imaginary teams don’t correspond to real teams. If this is legal, poker and sports betting should be, too, Sullum says. Both are equally skill-based and at least as popular. “Here’s the real reason playing fantasy sports is not gambling,” he writes. “The government says it isn’t.”

Red Rock casino sports book director Jason McCormick poses for a photograph in Las Vegas. His sports book was to become the first to release a betting line based on players' fantasy statistics.
Red Rock casino sports book director Jason McCormick poses for a photograph in Las Vegas. His sports book was to become the first to release a betting line based on players' fantasy statistics.   (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Los Angeles Angels' Howie Kendrick hits an RBI single against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Seattle Tuesday, June 3, 2008. The Angels won 5-4.
Los Angeles Angels' Howie Kendrick hits an RBI single against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Seattle Tuesday, June 3, 2008. The Angels won 5-4.   (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
In this Dec. 23, 2007 file photo, New England Patriots offensive tackle Nick Kaczur plays in a football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass.
In this Dec. 23, 2007 file photo, New England Patriots offensive tackle Nick Kaczur plays in a football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
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