Support the Fantasy Sports Contests Act, H.B. 279

On behalf of our activist community in North Carolina, I urge you to contact your state representative and ask him or her to support the Fantasy Sports Contests Act, H.B. 279. The bill would protect North Carolinians’ right to participate in fantasy sports contests and ensure that fantasy sports websites can continue to operate in North Carolina.

Fans have taken their passion for sports online, using fantasy sports to compete with their friends, family, or coworkers. Today, more than 53 million Americans, and more than 1.6 million North Carolinians, play fantasy sports.

It takes a high level of skill to play fantasy sports, much like it takes skill for Marty Hurney and Don Waddell to put together rosters for the Carolina Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes. Industry leaders have partnered with professional sports leagues, including the National Football League (NFL) and the National Hockey League (NHL), to promote fantasy sports and to promote their respective professional leagues.

The Fantasy Sports Contests Act, HB 279, would limit the kind of activity that can be conducted in the state under the guide of fantasy sports and put protections in place to ensure that players can enjoy fantasy sports contests safely. The bill would establish a minimum age requirement of 18 to play fantasy sports and require that funds paid by the player are kept in a secure account. It would ensure that beginner and experienced players are separated to ensure fairness in competition.

Several states have already passed similar laws to ensure that players can continue to enjoy fantasy sports. The Fantasy Sports Contests Act, HB 279, updates North Carolina law to ensure that players can continue to play these games while also ensuring that protections are in place. For these reasons, I urge you to contact your state representative and ask him or her to support the Fantasy Sports Contests Act, HB 279.