IGT Opposing Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily Fantasy Sports companies have long-believed IGT was against them. IGT, the world’s largest slot machine maker, finally came out and admitted as much. It was in Oregon, where IGT provides video lottery terminals where the company publicly admitted its opposition to DFS. The slot machine maker provides Oregon with video lottery terminals, which feature such games as Prince of Thieves and Lucky Larry Lobstermania.

An IGT lobbyist appeared before the Oregon House Committee On Business and Labor. IGT has no problems with daily fantasy sports, he said, as long as they are viewed as gambling. Oregon has two separate bills under consideration. One bills calls it a game of skill, while the other calls it a game of chance. IGT, naturally, supports the game of chance bill.

The daily fantasy sports operators will pull out of Oregon before accepting a game of chance designation. That would hurt DFS in the long run, as their primary defense is that it is not chance. Instead, they argue that skill is the determining factor in winning or losing, which is why they should not be subject to gambling laws.

Other parties are against daily fantasy sports. Indian tribes in several states, such as Florida, are believed to oppose the spread of DFS. Casino owners, such as Sheldon Adelson is another, along with the usual anti-gambling parties.

Oregon is not a big player in the DFS market due to its size. Texas is a different matter and a showdown could be looming in the Lone Star State. The Texas Daily Fantasy Alliance – a company started by FanDuel and DraftKings is lobbying for the passage of the state’s DFS bill. Stop Daily Fantasy Gambling, believed to be spearheaded by IGT is opposed.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton  has already equated daily fantasy sports to illegal gambling.