Daily fantasy sports lobbyists are stepping up their campaign to legalize fantasy sports in California and no politician can get in the way.
Earlier this month, Assembly Bill 1437, which would authorize California companies to offer daily fantasy sports after obtaining licenses from the California Department of Justice, passed the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee by a 17-1 vote.
Who had that sole dissenting vote? It came from Assemblyman Marc Levine, who argued that DFS is a form of gambling.
“This is gambling. There’s no doubt about it. Let’s not fool ourselves,” Levine said. “An entry fee is a wager; cash prizes are gambling winnings; (daily fantasy sports companies) are bookies.”
The Fantasy Sports Trade Association (FSTA) is now running an online ad and radio spots in the Bay Area encouraging players to show support for legalizing fantasy sports in the state. Californians can visit a website “Take Action Now to Protect Fantasy Sports in CA!” where they can leave a note for their lawmakers.
The ad also targets Levine for opposing daily fantasy sports, saying, “State legislators are working to protect your rights to play fantasy football – but not Assemblyman Marc Levine. He’s the politician who wants to ban fantasy football in California. If Assemblyman Marc Levine wants to vote no on fantasy football, maybe we should be voting no on Marc Levine.”
FSTA spokesman Steve Maviglio told the Sacramento Bee that the ads will be running on three Bay Area stations for the next two weeks.
“We certainly want to activate our fantasy sports players in California and make them aware of the issue,” said Peter Schoenke, FTSA chaiman. “We think if legislators hear from their constituents who play fantasy sports, they’ll come up with a bill that works for everyone.”
Levine said the group behind the ad blitz wanted “to muscle their way through the Legislature by putting fear in lawmakers who would like to do the right thing.”
“This is a clear message to lawmakers and the attorney general to get out of the way of their train, and they’re going to run over anyone who dares to speak the truth.”
The bill received a 15-0 unanimous vote from the Assembly’s Committee on Appropriations last week and is slated for the state assembly floor vote on Wednesday.
