FANTASY SPORTS BILL ADVANCES

A bill intended to remove legal problems for fantasy sports participants in Iowa cleared the Senate State Government Committee on Monday. Senate Study Bill 3108 clarifies that fantasy sports contests aren't considered gaming under Iowa law. Playing fantasy sports for cash or prizes is technically illegal under Iowa law. In fantasy sports, participants draft a team of real-life professional and collegiate players and compete with other participants based on the statistical performance of the players during real games and competitions. However, websites that provide platforms for fantasy sports play don't include Iowa participants due to the state's current law; however, no Iowan has been prosecuted for playing fantasy sports games. Industry experts estimate a quarter of a million Iowans play fantasy sports.