A Md. lawmaker, amid budget cuts and tax debates, is tackling fantasy football
A Md. lawmaker, amid budget cuts and tax debates, is tackling fantasy football
By Michael S. Rosenwald
The state’s General Assembly reconvenes Wednesday. One of the measures it will take up this session is House Bill 7, which should offer a bit of levity from bitter debates over same-sex marriage, septic systems, gas taxes and the other usual partisan issues that typically ruin a nice day.
House Bill 7’s title: “AN ACT concerning Criminal Law – Betting, Wagering, and Gambling – Fantasy Competition.”
Ladies and gentleman of Maryland, we are now legislating fantasy football.
Full disclosure: I am a trash-talking, hard-core fantasy football player. Some sportswriters, given the opportunity, might even call me talented. I have won several championships. I am feared. My wife is also a committed player — so intense, in fact, that while in the hospital after
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The opinion said any game that requires decisions, the element of chance and a prize is gambling. That opinion, according to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, is a key reason why major fantasy football league organizers — including CBS, ESPN and others — forbid Marylanders to compete for prizes.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/rosenwald-md/post/a-md-lawmaker-amid-budget-cuts-and-tax-debates-is-tackling-fantasy-football/2012/01/10/gIQADaCAoP_blog.htm