According to Brian Murphy from WRAL,

In June, legislators in North Carolina passed a law allowing for mobile sports betting, putting an end to a lengthy political discussion on the expansion of gambling.

However, the responsibility of regulating the industry was given to the North Carolina Education Lottery Commission, sparking a fresh discussion on the regulations for sports betting.

The first draft of regulations from the lottery commission has sparked a dispute regarding the classification of fantasy contests and sports betting, as well as the allocation of games among different companies and the ultimate decision-making power.

What is the definition of fantasy sports?

The majority of fantasy sports enthusiasts engage in leagues that span the entire season. In the case of football, there is a draft or auction process and weekly matches. The goal is to either make it to the playoffs or fall short, with the potential to boast to friends or colleagues and potentially win a small prize.

Many people participate in daily fantasy contests. In football, the process is as follows: You create a lineup that stays within a salary cap, with top players costing more than secondary players. It is possible for multiple teams to have some of the same players. Your lineup earns points for the day or week, similar to season-long leagues, and you either win money or do not. The following week, you have the option to create a completely new lineup or not play at all. One major injury will not ruin your chances for the entire season.

A new format has surfaced in the world of fantasy sports, allowing players to choose whether real-life athletes will meet or fall short of specific statistical goals in a single game or day. For instance, will Patrick Mahomes pass for more or less than 300 yards? Will LeBron James score over or under 25 points? These daily fantasy pick ’em contests combine multiple choices, with the player competing against the house, rather than other players.

is going to be a tough one.

It will be challenging to determine the exact meaning of ‘fantasy contests’.

During a public hearing held by the lottery commission on Friday, representatives of pick ’em contest operators expressed their belief that the commission is exceeding its jurisdiction by suggesting regulations that go beyond the limitations set by state laws for defining fantasy sports contests.

According to Nicholas Green, the general counsel at Underdog Fantasy, the legislature had the option to use the same language as the proposed rules but opted not to do so.

“It made a deliberate decision to refrain from doing so, despite being fully aware of the state of the fantasy sports industry in North Carolina at the time of its passage. Our company, along with others similar to ours, had been conducting fantasy competitions for several years prior to this.”

This argument is also taking place in other states, such as Colorado. Several states that have authorized betting on sports do not permit fantasy sports contests.

The proposed regulations in North Carolina are anticipated to be finalized on November 16. Fantasy games of this nature have been deemed lawful in the state.

Tom Lee, a lawyer representing Prize Picks, stated that the proposed regulation labels hundreds of thousands of customers in this state as wrongdoers and intends to put an end to their actions.

None of the commission members addressed the hearing on Friday. Sterl Carpenter, the deputy executive director of gaming compliance and sports betting for the lottery, was present at the hearing. However, he did not provide any statements to the media afterwards.

Van Denton, the lottery’s director of communications, stated that they are happy that stakeholders have taken advantage of the chance to engage in the process. He also mentioned that the Commission will carefully consider these comments as they work towards finalizing and adopting their rules. The General Assembly has given the Commission the responsibility of ensuring compliance with the sports wagering law and implementing measures to protect the people of North Carolina. The Commission is committed to fulfilling these duties and their rules will prioritize providing secure betting options for the public.

According to state legislation, the commencement of sports betting in North Carolina can range from January 8 to June 15.

Suggested regulation for fantasy competitions

According to the sports wagering law (General Statute 18C-902) in North Carolina, the rules do not apply to fantasy or simulated games or contests where players use their knowledge and skill to compete, and the outcome is mostly determined by the statistical performance of individuals, such as athletes in sporting events.

The lottery commission’s suggested regulation specifies that “fantasy contests” do not encompass the following types of contests:

(a) based on proposition wagering or contests that involve, result in, or have the effect of mimicking proposition wagering or other forms of Sports Wagering;

(b) in which an Individual chooses, directly or indirectly, whether individuals or a single real-world team will surpass an identified statistical achievement, such as points scored;

(c) in which an Individual submits a fantasy contest team which does not involve the knowledge, skill, input, or control of such person;

(d) in which an Individual submits a fantasy contest team composed of: (i) a single individual; (ii) the entire roster of a real-world team; or (iii)solely individuals who are members of the same real-world team; or

In this situation, an Individual fantasy Player does not face off against at least one other Individual fantasy Player.

Critics of the proposed regulation argued that it is excessive, and that the disagreement over the interpretation of fantasy contests was a crucial aspect of the legislative procedure.

”

Green stated that there was a lot of disagreement among those involved about what should be considered a fantasy contest. Some companies and sports operators wanted a definition that would prevent certain types of contests, including the pick ’em contest that our company offers, but the legislature chose not to go along with those requests.

“The suggested regulations represent the desires of individuals who support the opposing side in the law-making procedure.”

If the pick ’em competitions were banned, individuals who place bets could still make similar wagers through sports betting companies. These types of bets are known as proposition bets on these sites and involve predicting if a player will reach a specific statistical goal. When these bets are combined, they are referred to as a parlay.

Underdog Fantasy stated that it plans to obtain one of the 12 available licenses for sports betting in the state. Prize Picks, however, does not have this intention.

The primary creator of the sports betting legislation in North Carolina, Representative Jason Saine of Lincoln, has stated that it was not the legislators’ goal to prohibit fantasy pick ’em contests.

According to Saine, the sponsor of the bill, her intention was not to exclude anyone. She stated to WRAL on Friday that it seems like those who are against the bill have been heavily lobbying.

Source: wralsportsfan.com