Arkansas inched closer to legalizing daily fantasy sports (DFS) in the state as a majority of its senators voted in favor of a fantasy sports bill.
Voting 25-5, the Arkansas Senate approved House Bill 2250, which aims to create special language in the Arkansas code that protects DFS players from criminal prosecution.
But according to Legal Sports Report, the legislation might go back to the House as the Senate made several tweaks in certain provisions of the law.
Under the bill sponsored by House Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, a paid fantasy sports game provided by the likes of DraftKings or FanDuel would not be considered gambling under state law.
DFS companies would have to pay an 8% tax based on the operator’s gross game revenues from the previous state fiscal year. The bill also presses companies to declare the amount of prizes and awards beforehand.
Gazaway’s measure bars fantasy sports leagues from using college sports, high school sports, horse racing, or greyhound racing as part of their contests, according to the bill.
Before the vote took place, Gazaway told members of the House that there were estimates of nearly 500,000 people in the state who participate in the games during sports season.
Georgia shelves Fantasy Sports bill – for now
While a DFS bill progresses in Arkansas, the push to legalize fantasy sports in Georgia hit a snag as the state legislature adjourned its session without sending a bill to the governor.
The bill aimed at regulating DFS in Georgia was already approved in the House but the Senate did not take up the measure for a vote.
