Alabama Senate Committee Approves DFS Bill

Alabama might become the 13th state to legalise daily fantasy sports.

It seems that Alabama is on its way join the group of US states which have legalised daily fantasy sports. This Southern state has come a long way since last year, when Alabama Attorney General informed daily fantasy sports operators that DFS are banned in this state. Now, those that pushed towards DFS legalisation have every right to be excited, as the proposed DFS bill is slowly progressing through state legislative bodies.

A DFS bill was introduced to the Alabama House of Representatives earlier this year. The bill was an effort to overcome the situation that was caused by last year’s decision to declare daily fantasy sports illegal. There are currently 12 US states where daily fantasy sports are legal.

The House of Representatives Passed the Bill by a Thin Majority

There were many doubts whether Alabaman lawmakers will decide to legalise daily fantasy sports. Fortunately for all DFS fans in the Yellowhammer State, the bill was passed by the House of Representatives last month. At the moment three different legal solutions are being reviewed by Alabaman legislative bodies, and it would be sufficient if they pass just one.

The House of Representatives voted in favour of the bill, although the vote was very close, 43 representatives voted in favour, whereas 38 were opposed to the bill. Some of the proponents of the bill argued that the state will have a financial benefit if daily fantasy sports are legalised, since a proportion of the profits of the operators will be collected as tax.

After the bill was passed, Quinton Ross, a Minority Leader of the Alabama Senate stated that lawmakers need to provide that extra level of protection for all those in Alabama who enjoy playing fantasy sports. Ross also added that internet deletes the barriers and borders between states and countries and that Alabamans should not be forced to leave the country if they want to play fantasy sports.

Alabama Will Have Financial Benefit from DFS Legalisation

The Senate has not yet voted on the proposed bill, but it has already been reviewed by the Tourism and Marketing Committee. The Committee members voted in favour of the bill, six of them supported it, while two were against. Now, the bill that was drafted by Alan Boothe, a Republican Rep. is up for a floor vote by all Senate members.

According to the bill, all operators that would like to operate in Alabama will have to register with the Attorney General and pay a registration fee. In addition to the fee, which has not yet been set, all operators will pay an annual tax fee in an amount of 6% of their gross revenue. The minimum age limit for participants in DFS has been set at 19 years and operators will not have the right to offer DFS games based on college or youth leagues, only on adult competitions. All regulations regarding DFS will be set by the office of the Alabama Attorney General.

The current legislative session will last for one more week, we will see if the Senate casts it vote on the bill before the session draws to an end. If it does and the vote is positive, Alabama will join states like New York which have already legalised daily fantasy sports.