It's gambling and the NFL condones it and allows the teams to build
"rooms" dedicated to it and at least two team owners to be investors in Draft Kinds and Fan Duel -- total double standard. I give Pallone credit for going after the situation. New Jersey casinos are barred from having sports betting because of the 1992 hypocritical "law" and as a result we have lost tons of revenue over the years. Time for the NFL to stop being the fraud league that it is that keeps bleating about "the integrity of the game" when there is no integrity in the NFL front office or in the owners. Also time to stop calling the NFL a non-profit. Total fraud.
"rooms" dedicated to it and at least two team owners to be investors in Draft Kinds and Fan Duel -- total double standard. I give Pallone credit for going after the situation. New Jersey casinos are barred from having sports betting because of the 1992 hypocritical "law" and as a result we have lost tons of revenue over the years. Time for the NFL to stop being the fraud league that it is that keeps bleating about "the integrity of the game" when there is no integrity in the NFL front office or in the owners. Also time to stop calling the NFL a non-profit. Total fraud.
2
Do the fantasy companies issue 1099's to the winners? Winning money is not tax free. It is income like any other.
2
It's gambling pure and simple. You are basically adding a high level of detail to the old game of buying squares for the outcome of a game and the quarters. What is worse than the gambling is the obscene amount of time wasted on this hustle. Productivity has to be down 20-30% due to the combination of commercial and office pools taking up workers time. They look busy, but they are busy with game stats. They might as well be playing video games at work. Bookies keep getting rousted, while these guys get to advertise during games.
How does Pete Rose feel about this?
How does Pete Rose feel about this?
1
You would think that at least some players, coaches can be compromised in real game situations by being involved in fantasy football, either directly or indirectly.
5
How does MLB sanction gambling by promoting it on their game broadcasts and in their stadiums and still ban Pete Rose. Their ignoring of the use of steroids is more understandable and acceptable. Gambling was baseball's original sin.
1
The potentially fatal flaw in this pot of gold is that unlike "pure" gambling there is some actual value in a detailed knowledge about the past performances of and expectations about players and combinations of players.
With big money at stake in an easily accessed format as opposed to the friendly fantasy leagues of the past these professional so called fantasy sites are going to increasingly attract individuals and groups with access to huge computer power and sophisticated programming that will leave typical players in the dust and more and more of the payouts will go to pros who will scoop up more and more of the cash. That is not a growth formula.
Traditional sports betting may look very attractive in comparison to most fans who want to place a wager..
With big money at stake in an easily accessed format as opposed to the friendly fantasy leagues of the past these professional so called fantasy sites are going to increasingly attract individuals and groups with access to huge computer power and sophisticated programming that will leave typical players in the dust and more and more of the payouts will go to pros who will scoop up more and more of the cash. That is not a growth formula.
Traditional sports betting may look very attractive in comparison to most fans who want to place a wager..
Of course it is gambling. Fan Duel and its like pray on young people who love fantasy football and have no idea about the pitfalls of gambling. I say this as a person who gambled for years and while I have control I have seen many who don't and got ruined.
I actually prefer to bet horses, the most challenging of all sports to bet, the most cerebral of all. It is also the hardest to win. Why?, takeout of what is taken off the top, usually 20 percent or more...meaning only 80 cents of every dollar is paid back. Yet Fan Duel and its ilk have none of these obligations when it is obviously gambling. Not really a fair playing field and just adds to the myriad of reasons why horse racing is having a tough go.
I actually prefer to bet horses, the most challenging of all sports to bet, the most cerebral of all. It is also the hardest to win. Why?, takeout of what is taken off the top, usually 20 percent or more...meaning only 80 cents of every dollar is paid back. Yet Fan Duel and its ilk have none of these obligations when it is obviously gambling. Not really a fair playing field and just adds to the myriad of reasons why horse racing is having a tough go.
2
The NFL and the other sports leagues are desperate for growth. By expanding to gambling they will get revenue growth, but at a cost to the popularity of the sport. Sucking in kids to gambling is nothing new, and the NFL has the wherewithal to make it happen. Is it legal gambling most definitely. This appears the first step in the downfall of the NFL. Soon we'll be seeing receivers drop balls on purpose, missed field goals etc. For perspective The CCNY- NYU basketball scandals show what happens when gambling is allowed into sports. It destroys credibility and integrity and brings in a criminal element to an otherwise fair contest. Just watch an episode of the Soprano's for examples of how it's done. Draft Kings and Fan Duel is amateur hour compared to how the real pro's operate. Now there will be broken bones and concussions off the field, and that's no fantasy.
3
The ads are overwhelming... one after another.... making it sound like you will win millions.... stop the insanity... please.
5
Day Trading anyone?
3
Such a creative new name for sports gambling. One wonders how far this will get before law enforcement and regulators see it for what it is.
2
I love American football, even if that is starting to be an un-PC statement around here. Living in Europe, I try to explain the passion around college football, and how it's the American sport that comes closest to the emotion and pageantry of soccer in Europe.
It's a hard case, though, since the rest of the world only really sees NFL games. Though I grew up watching the league and have many great memories, for me it's become unwatchable. One big reason is the incredibly annoying style of the media coverage, dudes perched behind a giant podium, all talking at once, hyperactive stat geeks speed-spreading data like high school debate champions, regularly interrupted by guffawing former football players. ESPN recently ran a two hour show on the release of the NFL schedule! It is out of hand.
Yes, I know that it's popular. But I note that everyone I know that is really, really into the NFL falls into one of three groups:
1. Residents of Wisconsin, western Pennsylvania, Cleveland, Buffalo, or New York City (i.e., the handful of places where the local passion is the pro team and not a college rivalry)
2. Gamblers
3. Avid fantasy football players
Group 1 is limited to certain areas, and they only care about one game per week, whereas the others are all over the country, and want to see every game. They are the best consumers, who consume the barrage of data in the pre-game show.
The whole thing has turned into a giant racetrack, a sad exploitation of an American institution.
It's a hard case, though, since the rest of the world only really sees NFL games. Though I grew up watching the league and have many great memories, for me it's become unwatchable. One big reason is the incredibly annoying style of the media coverage, dudes perched behind a giant podium, all talking at once, hyperactive stat geeks speed-spreading data like high school debate champions, regularly interrupted by guffawing former football players. ESPN recently ran a two hour show on the release of the NFL schedule! It is out of hand.
Yes, I know that it's popular. But I note that everyone I know that is really, really into the NFL falls into one of three groups:
1. Residents of Wisconsin, western Pennsylvania, Cleveland, Buffalo, or New York City (i.e., the handful of places where the local passion is the pro team and not a college rivalry)
2. Gamblers
3. Avid fantasy football players
Group 1 is limited to certain areas, and they only care about one game per week, whereas the others are all over the country, and want to see every game. They are the best consumers, who consume the barrage of data in the pre-game show.
The whole thing has turned into a giant racetrack, a sad exploitation of an American institution.
4
Personally I find that the propositions offered by these two entities are enough like gambling that they reduce my interest in watching sports at all. That the leagues and networks tolerate, even encourage, the presence in advertising and on the fields suggests they are so hungry for money that they have lost interest in the games and the fans. Who knew that after years of posturing, as we now know, against gambling everyone was just looking for a back door to let it in.
1
I remember a friend of someone at DraftKings explaining what the business was about a couple year ago and I was confused. "What? Is that some kind of Jersey law loophole?" Nope, she said. It was legal to gamble across the U.S. as long as it was in the fantasy format. Didn't really make sense to me then, and doesn't make sense to me now.
8
And yet even the venerable New York Times runs Fantasy Football columns every week...
“I’ve been in this business all my life, and when you put up money on an event and you get a return on whatever the outcome of that event, it — to me — that is gambling,” Mr. Avello said. “There’s money changing hands.”
Hmmm --
In Las Vegas - they call it "gambling" -
On Wall Street - it's politely referred to as "investing" -
How nice...
And - unfortunately it's too late to close the door on this because the horses have already left the barn -- meaning there's just too much money involved and - as we all know...it's always about the money --
“I’ve been in this business all my life, and when you put up money on an event and you get a return on whatever the outcome of that event, it — to me — that is gambling,” Mr. Avello said. “There’s money changing hands.”
Hmmm --
In Las Vegas - they call it "gambling" -
On Wall Street - it's politely referred to as "investing" -
How nice...
And - unfortunately it's too late to close the door on this because the horses have already left the barn -- meaning there's just too much money involved and - as we all know...it's always about the money --
9
Please turn it off, and go outside!
8
The house always wins in all gambling games---10 to 15 % of the take not a bad days pay.
Yes last weekends commercials were way to much!
Did not realize how involved teams of the NFL were/are,that is were I think the NFL needs to draw the line.Instead of throwing a football...perhaps it is letting a little too much air out...This is far to close to the game itself...
Let the fantasy players play all they want,as they should be able to but with out teams in an unofficial or official financial backing.
Yes last weekends commercials were way to much!
Did not realize how involved teams of the NFL were/are,that is were I think the NFL needs to draw the line.Instead of throwing a football...perhaps it is letting a little too much air out...This is far to close to the game itself...
Let the fantasy players play all they want,as they should be able to but with out teams in an unofficial or official financial backing.
4
There's a bit of a shell game going on here. Media companies "invest" in fantasy sports sites. The sites, in turn, advertise heavily on networks owned by the media companies, whose original investment might consist in part of air time for ads in exchange for stakes. This is how bubbles work, and me thinks the fantasy sports bubble may be deflating soon when people find that the only people who win are those who have the cash to fully hedge their fantasy choices.
4
Only "some" call it betting? Really? Seriously?
4
Gambling. Vice tax it.
4
Let me see if I get this...one has to put up some money... maybe some of the money will comeback to me ... depending on the performance of selected athletes on a given Sunday in the NFL..most likely however the money will just end up being a contribution to a large pot of money that the entity running the fantasy "game" will take a cut of...
"What's not gambling about that" you ask?
Fantasy purveyors are allowed to sponsor NFL games so it can't possibly be gambling because the NFL doesn't condone gambling.
It it walks like a duck etc...
"What's not gambling about that" you ask?
Fantasy purveyors are allowed to sponsor NFL games so it can't possibly be gambling because the NFL doesn't condone gambling.
It it walks like a duck etc...
5
It's scary how far from a democracy our country has veered. GM kills hundreds, gets ten minutes in the corner, but can use their phone. Oligarchs control elections and congress. Now gambling, pure and simple, takes over that paragon of purity, the NFL.
What have we done?
What have we done?
1
Since this is gambling pure and simple I wondered how the NFL even allowed this to be advertised during their games. With the owners involved it's now clear. I guess they're just not making enough money.
And with this much money involved, it's just a matter of time before the scandal comes of players throwing games or shaving points. No doubt the kickers will be prime targets for nefarious activity.
I may just be one fan, but when that happens I'll cancel my Sunday ticket and never watch again.
And with this much money involved, it's just a matter of time before the scandal comes of players throwing games or shaving points. No doubt the kickers will be prime targets for nefarious activity.
I may just be one fan, but when that happens I'll cancel my Sunday ticket and never watch again.
3
I know this could sound condescending, but I wonder if fantasy football fans could use some counseling for ideas to make better use of their time.
5
Our tragic belief that purchased numbers, properly selected and stacked, can control luck or change fate has created hordes of losers since man learned to count, while enriching those who control the games.
Not so long ago every state prohibited gambling, except two. Now, it's part of our beloved national game and directly into our homes, cell-phones and wallets via these games.
If you think about, you wonder why this took so long.
Call it what it is -- gambling -- and apply whatever moral tax for school funding or roads or fantasy-sports addiction therapy classes you can get away with and move on.
Fantasy is fun. Most fantasy leagues are free, except for the car commercials and the time spent managing teams. Once money gets involved, it might as well be dice.
Have you heard the one about the NFL player with a fantasy team who wouldn't draft himself?
Not so long ago every state prohibited gambling, except two. Now, it's part of our beloved national game and directly into our homes, cell-phones and wallets via these games.
If you think about, you wonder why this took so long.
Call it what it is -- gambling -- and apply whatever moral tax for school funding or roads or fantasy-sports addiction therapy classes you can get away with and move on.
Fantasy is fun. Most fantasy leagues are free, except for the car commercials and the time spent managing teams. Once money gets involved, it might as well be dice.
Have you heard the one about the NFL player with a fantasy team who wouldn't draft himself?
3
Anyone who hasn't figured out this is a gambling network akin to what used to be called "playing the numbers" until it was called POWERBALL is an idiot.
And Pete Rose is suspended for what all of these people are doing everyday? Is the NFL monitoring its players?
And Pete Rose is suspended for what all of these people are doing everyday? Is the NFL monitoring its players?
5
What is the question? If there is money involved it is betting. The players are picking "winners" just as the race track touts are doing. The difference here is that the horses are human.
2
It's gambling. Any small print to the contrary is pure semantics.
It should be regulated and taxed. I suggest that for every $100 bet, $10 goes straight to taxpayers coffers.
That politicians have looked the other way as this multi-billion dollar industry has blossomed, making large (how large ??) fortunes for the owners, is a complete disgrace.
It should be regulated and taxed. I suggest that for every $100 bet, $10 goes straight to taxpayers coffers.
That politicians have looked the other way as this multi-billion dollar industry has blossomed, making large (how large ??) fortunes for the owners, is a complete disgrace.
3
Someone will have to explain to me how picking which tight end will make the most catches isn't gambling, but picking which horse will cross the finish line first is. It seems to me that either they both are or both are not.
2
Draft Kings and the like are total shams. How can Pete Rose be barred from baseball while MLB promotes this gambling scam?
This is a digrace.
This is a digrace.
3
This story falls in the category of, "why is this legal?"
I don't care if it's gambling or not, but the volume of commercials these websites have on during NFL Games should be illegal.
20
The CALM (Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act), which went into effect on 13 December 2012, requires commercials to have an average volume no greater than the programs they accompany.
Please file a complaint at: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us
The FCC excels at investigation and enforcement, when compared to the rest of the government.
Please file a complaint at: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us
The FCC excels at investigation and enforcement, when compared to the rest of the government.
2
Good line.
Buffalo has a chance versus New England this weekend but shush.
Kraft takes candy away from children if it harms his profit spread.
Buffalo has a chance versus New England this weekend but shush.
Kraft takes candy away from children if it harms his profit spread.
1
Fantasy sports betting is gambling and it should be legal along with sports betting nationally.
3
Whether this is gambling or not... this whole "issue" has been raised by a politician in who's district resides the failing NJ gambling industry. It's all about protecting your government gifted monopoly I guess.
I enjoy fantasy sports on the weekend from the comfort of my own home. Many of my friends do as well and pretty much everyone is gainfully employed. Leave us alone.
I enjoy fantasy sports on the weekend from the comfort of my own home. Many of my friends do as well and pretty much everyone is gainfully employed. Leave us alone.
3
And the monopoly of sports netting resides in Nevada, not NJ.
1
Of course it's betting. It's a zero sum game; whatever you win MUST come out of someone else' pocket. Duh!
Can't possible be legal but don't bet (sorry) on any enforecement.
Can't possible be legal but don't bet (sorry) on any enforecement.
3
I was surprised to see the absolute blizzard of fantasy football ads on both the NCAA and NFL games. I don't gamble and I don't support any kind of gambling. These ads, go beyond mere advertising. They're deceptive and misleading and clearly induced to get people to part with their money.
Yes, yes, yes, I know they're aimed at adults (supposedly) and yes, yes, yes, they're probably guaranteed by something in the Constitution (isn'y everything these days?). But, for the NCAA to support this suggests that it's more hypocritical than I had thought.
I'd rather see more truck or toenail fungus commercials,.
Yes, yes, yes, I know they're aimed at adults (supposedly) and yes, yes, yes, they're probably guaranteed by something in the Constitution (isn'y everything these days?). But, for the NCAA to support this suggests that it's more hypocritical than I had thought.
I'd rather see more truck or toenail fungus commercials,.
4
It looks like betting because that's what it is. Betting. As usual, a loophole has put the law way behind the eight ball.
1
I don't really care one way or the other, but those ads have got to be some of the most annoying ever, especially since they run non-stop. I'm in favor of whichever outcome results in fewer of them.
13
Excellent article in the WSJ a few days ago. Highlights: These companies take 10% off the top of every bet, the same "vig" that you pay a bookie for a straight bet on a game. Also, only about 1% of players get back 90% of the money placed on the game. Finally, players are using sophisticated software algorithms to become part of that 1%. Good luck to the schlubs who don't have access to these software programs.
13
Fantasy sports gambling is legal and online poker is illegal for the same reason that alcohol is legal and marijuana is not. Although all are relatively harmless in moderation, fantasy sports and alcohol are the preferred vices of affluent, conservative white males. The latter two, not so much.
6
Congrats. Was eagerly awaiting the first comment to make this a racial issue. New someone would figure out a way.
Of course it's gambling. That leaves two choices. 1) Leagues such as the NFL should acknowledge it's gambling and support states such as NJ (or the entire country) who are trying to legalize sports wagering on the outcome of games. Level the playing field on all wagering. 2) The federal government should outlaw fantasy sports gambling and level the playing field that way. You either support and promote both or you outlaw both.
1
I was asked to explain Fantasy Football to my sister-in-law last week. She's pretty knowledgeable and a huger Packers/Rogers fan. She couldn't understand why the NFL tolerated it. I told her they love it. Among other benefits, iIt keeps eyes on the TV screen for games like the Titans blowout of the Bucs last Sunday. Boosts ratings, which boosts advertising rates. As for gambling I've never thought of it as anything else since it began.
So MLB has an official "daily fantasy" (i.e., gambling) site -- DraftKings -- but Pete Rose can never be admitted to the HOF? MLB has achieved a level of cynicism not seen since the steroid era.
1
O.K., keep it at as a purely gambling event. Fine no sweat.
However, if the events at FIFA tell us anything some people just can't quit to the point of trying to out smart the federal Attorney Generals Office.
The Giants/Cowboy game perked up a lot of ears.
However, if the events at FIFA tell us anything some people just can't quit to the point of trying to out smart the federal Attorney Generals Office.
The Giants/Cowboy game perked up a lot of ears.
1
It obviously is gambling, but gambling ought to be treated in the same way as other "vices" (a dead giveaway to the reason for a restriction). Sure there are problems with addiction to gambling, but that's true of a lot of things. We tried amending the constitution to outlaw alcohol, but all it did was drive it underground and make a lot of money for organized crime. It didn't last long and now any adult (at least, those over 21) can drink. Why should gambling be any different? Gambling is legal in other countries, and the sky hasn't fallen. How ironic that it isn't legal in the "land of the free".
4
Gambling is second only to television in promoting the growth of the NFL. During law school I kept company with an Ohio bookmaker whose practice was second only to Jimmy the Greek. An autumn football weekend would produce a valise full of cash. (By the way, he was the nice bookie - if your tab got too high, the service was cut off like an unpaid phone bill, absolutely no rough stuff.)
Thus, I can tell you fantasy sports are not traditional sports gambling. It's gambling but there is a different dynamic to it. There is no wagering on the outcome, point spreads, totals, or teaser bets. There is a negligible probability of corruption It is based on the statistics of individual players, and thus legal under the UIGEA of 2006.
That law made it legal then and now. Since then, the whole industry has taken off like gangbusters. Entities like Comcast and KKR are behind it. Hence, I think the probability that the fantasy sports industry will go away is low.
It used to be that gambling was sequestered in Nevada. Now almost every state is getting into the act. We live in a gambling society. And when you examine daily fantasy sports, especially contrasted with a bookie's trade, you see that it is relatively tame.
Hence, let all the children boogie.
Thus, I can tell you fantasy sports are not traditional sports gambling. It's gambling but there is a different dynamic to it. There is no wagering on the outcome, point spreads, totals, or teaser bets. There is a negligible probability of corruption It is based on the statistics of individual players, and thus legal under the UIGEA of 2006.
That law made it legal then and now. Since then, the whole industry has taken off like gangbusters. Entities like Comcast and KKR are behind it. Hence, I think the probability that the fantasy sports industry will go away is low.
It used to be that gambling was sequestered in Nevada. Now almost every state is getting into the act. We live in a gambling society. And when you examine daily fantasy sports, especially contrasted with a bookie's trade, you see that it is relatively tame.
Hence, let all the children boogie.
2
I had a friend who lived next to a guy from Columbia who he said was in the import-export business. I told him to move. Very few bookies tell their friends about the kneecaps they break. Very few.
My guy laid off some bets in another city with some guys who could have been in the Sopranos. He only had a passing connection with kneecap breakers.
My bookie went to Mass almost every day. I know. I drove him. My bookie allowed two destitute homeless men to live for free in the upstairs of the house they used for their operation. He was the most Christian man I have known.
My bookie went to Mass almost every day. I know. I drove him. My bookie allowed two destitute homeless men to live for free in the upstairs of the house they used for their operation. He was the most Christian man I have known.
I remember when state governments decided to legalize and tax the numbers racket. The excuse for the government condoned detriment to the public was this, "All the profits will go towards school budgets!" Anyone else remember that? And yet, every year schools struggle. Rahm Emmanuel closed 50 in Chicago last year, supposedly due to budget constraints.
I guess the reason must be VERY high administrative costs at the lottery. I'm guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 99.99%.
I guess the reason must be VERY high administrative costs at the lottery. I'm guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 99.99%.
4
The lottery is, as my father the engineer explained, buying his ticket, a tax on people who can't do math.
You can bet on football all day long but play a little penny ante poker online and you go to jail.
3
Clearly gambling, which presumably is why residents of my state (Washington) are not eligible to participate on several of these sites. Hard to imagine why dedicated sports gamblers would need to participate in the "same day fantasy football" sites. They already have their "guy". This looks like a low level retail effort to attract those who are unable to understand wagering odds but who want to "take a shot" at winning millions. Kind of like Powerball, except instead of guessing at winning numbers, you guess at winning teams.
2
This discussion has been taking place for a little while now, time to pay attention NYTs.
These two companies are putting their infrastructure in place so that when betting on sports becomes legal, that they will be ready to set book within minutes.
The NBA is already envisioning the days of legalized sports betting, as their commissioner is calling for it now. The only reason the NFL hasn't is because their commissioner is a dolt.
Fans of English Premiere League soccer bet on their games from their seats in the stadiums. The U.S. cannot be more than 5 years behind. There is far too much money to be made. As always, follow the money.
These two companies are putting their infrastructure in place so that when betting on sports becomes legal, that they will be ready to set book within minutes.
The NBA is already envisioning the days of legalized sports betting, as their commissioner is calling for it now. The only reason the NFL hasn't is because their commissioner is a dolt.
Fans of English Premiere League soccer bet on their games from their seats in the stadiums. The U.S. cannot be more than 5 years behind. There is far too much money to be made. As always, follow the money.
4
As utter wastes of time, watching a football game vs. playing fantasy football is, well, a tie.
In the actual game, as has been found by scientists and physicians, the players are literally gambling with their health, sometimes their lives. In the fantasy form the participants are just gambling.
Watching paint dry is calming and meditative, better for your health and easier on your pocket book. And speaking of book, how about reading one instead of making?
In the actual game, as has been found by scientists and physicians, the players are literally gambling with their health, sometimes their lives. In the fantasy form the participants are just gambling.
Watching paint dry is calming and meditative, better for your health and easier on your pocket book. And speaking of book, how about reading one instead of making?
1
What a joke. It's gambling. And big time gambling. And the owners that are part of it are making money hand over fist. However, I personally don't really care as all professional sports only exist for gambling purposes.
3
The only part of this that is "fantasy" is that it is NOT betting.
3
As an avid fan of Fantasy Sports, I can assure everyone that it is gambling.
I"m also certain that a good amount of furor over deflate-gate came from those who want to protect fantasy sports profits.
I"m also certain that a good amount of furor over deflate-gate came from those who want to protect fantasy sports profits.
1
I began playing fantasy football in 1998. In that inaugural season, nothing was online. We had to wait for box scores to be published in the newspaper and then manually tally the results. Fantasy football moved to the internet soon thereafter, and the sophistication of the game has grown each year. Over the last few years, for-profit services have emerged to provide fantasy enthusiasts with advice specific to their teams and leagues. Now daily fantasy sports sites have been launched as thinly veiled gambling platforms. What started out as a friendly game among friends has transformed into an enormous profit-seeking machine, a capitalistic parasite that seeks to extract more and more and more money from average people who are lucky to have any job, let alone one that offers an annual raise that just keeps pace with inflation. The fantasy sports industry is simply a microcosm of the USA, where doing anything is pointless unless someone can profit significantly and immediately. From cradle to grave, everything in this country is about money.
Who cares if this is gambling? I don't see why this, or any other form of gambling should be illegal.
It's my money. I should be allowed to do with it what you want as long as I'm not hurting anyone else.
There's nothing stopping me from investing my money in penny stocks and losing everything, buying lottery tickets from the corner store and never winning, or dumping my money in a trash can and lighting it on fire, so why can't I throw a hundred bucks on my favorite team if someone is freely willing to take the other side of the bet?
As with all other victim-less crimes, lawmakers should legalize it, tax it, and regulate it to foster a safe environment for responsible people and promote rehabilitation for people who take it too far (and whose gambling habits are uncontrollable and often harmful to others, regardless of legality).
It's my money. I should be allowed to do with it what you want as long as I'm not hurting anyone else.
There's nothing stopping me from investing my money in penny stocks and losing everything, buying lottery tickets from the corner store and never winning, or dumping my money in a trash can and lighting it on fire, so why can't I throw a hundred bucks on my favorite team if someone is freely willing to take the other side of the bet?
As with all other victim-less crimes, lawmakers should legalize it, tax it, and regulate it to foster a safe environment for responsible people and promote rehabilitation for people who take it too far (and whose gambling habits are uncontrollable and often harmful to others, regardless of legality).
10
Please regulate the commercials off the air.
If it walks like a duck, and it talks like a duck, then The Duck is a home favorite giving 17 points with an over under of 21 and a proposition that the duck will quack three times before it is interrupted for the next radio commercial. Have to admit, though, as longtime follower of football (I was in the house when the Browns beat Johnny U and the Colts 27-0 to win their last professional championship - pre-Super Hype days) it is tempting. I've been thinking about going online and maybe . . . .
1
Even if it's gambling, so what? Whatever happened to freedom?
3
Let's not forget that "fan" is short for fanatic. Formerly referred to as a "spectator sport", the "football experience" is immersive for its core fan base. Fantasy football leagues and its evolution to "daily leagues" with money on the line is a natural progression. Gambling is like any other "vice"...it's going to happen, no matter what. Outlaw it, legalize and regulate it, or a combination of both...and hope to minimize negative impact on society.
1
Anyone who doesn't think fantasy sports is gambling lacks the imagination to extend the word "chance" beyond the narrow confines of a gambling hall. The idea that a person at home can accurately calculate if Dez Bryant will score X touchdowns, catch Y passes and make Z yards without chance entering the equation is no different than a poker player calculating the odds of a certain card appearing on the river. DraftKings, et.al. are just trying to buy their way to legitimacy. PokerStars tried the same thing and failed. Fantasy sites may have a better shot. But don't kid yourself in thinking fantasy sports is anything more than a complex Keno game.
9
So when "Mike and Mike" were saying that it's now okay to wager on fantasy sites, were they expressing their own opinion or that of their employer, ESPN and Disney?
4
What ever happened to the fact that the air waves belong to the people? Now we find that so-called private enterprise has cornered the airwaves and we all have to pay for most things we see and hear. According to today's article on NFL football, a usual three hour clock time game produces only 11 minutes of actual football action. Most of what used to be family broadcasts are now charged for by the various hedge fund and speculative gambling interests, and in the process everything has been dumbed down to minimum content to allow these interests to squeeze the last penny of profit from the air waves they have captured. Is financial greed the cancer that will destroy what we used to see and hear at our hearth sides. The latest network buzzword is "fantasy" and it may aptly apply to the state of the broadcasting world when it is seen as a "fantasy of profit greed". Where is the FCC the supposed watchdog of the airwaves? The answer seems to be: In the vest pockets of the broadcasting ceo's.
3
Billions of dollars flowing around, "betting" on "fantasy" sports. Nothing at all to do with the real world NFL, and absolutely, positively no chance of any corruption or contamination. Certainly no risk for collusion nor any decay in the "integrity of the game". Gee - this is just like Citizen's United, and the fact that there's no potential for unlimited amounts of money to corrupt our democratic processes either. This is online gambling, with the active support and collusion of the NFL, and any pretense otherwise is just so much smoke screen. What needs to be done is recognize that its happening, and get the taxes in place to legitimize it, just like 'indian' casinos and the profusion of gambling with active government support through lotto's and scratchers, etc. Why put official taxes in place when you can get people to voluntarily give away their money?
1
"More than 8,000 television spots by DraftKings and FanDuel in the N.F.L.’s opening week raised awareness of daily fantasy sports games, but critics still questioned their legality."
Pro sports = A group of grown men with the brains of children are paid to play children's game to entertain the child-like masses to enrich the wealthy.
You want to throw yourself off a balcony screaming insults at Alex Rodriguez, or take steroids still your brain explodes, or throw away your money gambling, be my guest!
And to think my friends and I played fantasy football for pennies in the 1980s when we were in college. I am glad we grew up and were able to create a life for ourselves. I know most people aren't so lucky.
Pro sports = A group of grown men with the brains of children are paid to play children's game to entertain the child-like masses to enrich the wealthy.
You want to throw yourself off a balcony screaming insults at Alex Rodriguez, or take steroids still your brain explodes, or throw away your money gambling, be my guest!
And to think my friends and I played fantasy football for pennies in the 1980s when we were in college. I am glad we grew up and were able to create a life for ourselves. I know most people aren't so lucky.
11
If it ain't gambling, what is it? And the commercials are criminally obnoxious. So sick of bro culture.
36
So SO sick of bro culture.
Thanks for mentioning that.
Thanks for mentioning that.
5
The plethora of ads from this company make me wonder if the NFL would have
survived without them. They have to be among the most annoying ads ever, and if they are not promoting gambling then I don't know what is.
survived without them. They have to be among the most annoying ads ever, and if they are not promoting gambling then I don't know what is.
5
I think the word "plethora" should be expunged from our language.
1
Johnny Avello says it well:
“I’ve been in this business all my life, and when you put up money on an event and you get a return on whatever the outcome of that event, it — to me — that is gambling,” Mr. Avello said. “There’s money changing hands.”
Americans play such pathetic moral "games" with this kind of thing. Call it what it is-gambling-and then decide to allow it or forbid it. But do it in the open light of day and not behind closed doors.
“I’ve been in this business all my life, and when you put up money on an event and you get a return on whatever the outcome of that event, it — to me — that is gambling,” Mr. Avello said. “There’s money changing hands.”
Americans play such pathetic moral "games" with this kind of thing. Call it what it is-gambling-and then decide to allow it or forbid it. But do it in the open light of day and not behind closed doors.
33
Joe Camel cartoon was outlawed because it promoted an over 21 product/activity (that had addictive and health consequences) to an under 21 market.
How is the NFL and this "Fantasy Football" not doing the same, by promoting an over 18 activity (gambling clearly has an addictive side, hence the need for supports groups and other state funding paid by casinos), to an under 18 market?
How is the NFL and this "Fantasy Football" not doing the same, by promoting an over 18 activity (gambling clearly has an addictive side, hence the need for supports groups and other state funding paid by casinos), to an under 18 market?
9
So what if it's gambling? What's the big deal? People already take "gambles" all the time. Starting a new job, buying a house. The gov't doesn't like this because they don't get as big of a cut as they do from state-sponsored lotteries, or state-sanctioned casinos. It's competition for their monopoly.
2
Investing in the stock market. Hedge funds gamble all the time. Why that that legal and not sports betting?
Wow... I went into this article wondering if I was a conspiracy theorist for thinking that some NFL owners had secret stakes in these companies... but there it is plain as day; the owner of my beloved New England Patriots figured out how to profit from fantasy football. That didn't take long... now I think I'll go be sick.
9
It's gambling, plain and simple. Call it what it is, then judge it on that. It needs to be made completely legal or completely illegal - there is no gray are here.
"even as the league remains a staunch opponent of sports betting"
Right. The NFL's never ending hypocrisy manifests itself once again.
Even the Sunday night announcers, very aware of the bookie odds, often comment that a last minute field goal in a losing cause is "going to make some people happy, others unhappy."
To what, exactly, does the NFL brain trust suppose they're referring?
"even as the league remains a staunch opponent of sports betting"
Right. The NFL's never ending hypocrisy manifests itself once again.
Even the Sunday night announcers, very aware of the bookie odds, often comment that a last minute field goal in a losing cause is "going to make some people happy, others unhappy."
To what, exactly, does the NFL brain trust suppose they're referring?
6
The house always wins. The NFL is becoming the next FIFA.
2
Gambling is when the outcome is totally due to chance. Non-gambling is when some or all of the game is won by skill, like hoop throwing at the state fair, or this type of intellectual game.
Jeff: OK, then are poker and blackjack games of total chance (gambling) or games partially of skill (non-gambling)?
1
Gambling isn't based totally on chance. Gambling on real teams has exactly the same basis as gambling on fantasy teams; making predictions based on performance, statistics and so on. There's obviously some skill involved in that (though "intellectual" is going bit far), but it's still gambling and in most states would be illegal if the teams were real.
That is incorrect. Gambling has NOTHING to do with skill or lack thereof.
Gambling is when you put money into a pot and expect that your choices will bring a bigger return than your investment.
You know, like betting on boxing, casino poker, or the stock market.
By your definition, a card player who understands the odds is not gambling when playing blackjack.
Gambling is when you put money into a pot and expect that your choices will bring a bigger return than your investment.
You know, like betting on boxing, casino poker, or the stock market.
By your definition, a card player who understands the odds is not gambling when playing blackjack.
2
Yes, this is gambling plain and simple. If the operators of these sites would just acknowledge this, I'd personally feel a lot better about their operations.
Gambling has increasingly become part of our society. When state-sponsored lotteries started about 45 years ago, the grand prize of $50,000 was considered large. Now, multistate lotteries regularly have prizes of over $300 million. Casinos, which once were limited to Nevada, then Nevada and Atlantic City, are now almost everywhere. Gambling is an accepted part of society, like it or not.
I'm not a fan of daily fantasy sites. But if their owners admit what their sites actually are, there might be less controversy about their operations.
Gambling has increasingly become part of our society. When state-sponsored lotteries started about 45 years ago, the grand prize of $50,000 was considered large. Now, multistate lotteries regularly have prizes of over $300 million. Casinos, which once were limited to Nevada, then Nevada and Atlantic City, are now almost everywhere. Gambling is an accepted part of society, like it or not.
I'm not a fan of daily fantasy sites. But if their owners admit what their sites actually are, there might be less controversy about their operations.
18
If the owners acknowledge the activity becomes illegal. Better to have the government acknowledge it and then the NFL, MLB etc can decide whether we want to legalize gambling on sports in all its forms.
"Fantasy football operates under an exemption to a 2006 federal law that outlawed games like online poker but permitted fantasy play under lobbying from professional sports leagues."
Then fix the law! Corruption and bribery are being the most common mode of affecting laws in this country. We've lost our representative republic.
There should be no money in politics, the repeal of Citizens United, and limited public financing of presidential elections. We could change our current system of bribery if we focus.
Then fix the law! Corruption and bribery are being the most common mode of affecting laws in this country. We've lost our representative republic.
There should be no money in politics, the repeal of Citizens United, and limited public financing of presidential elections. We could change our current system of bribery if we focus.
23
This business is worth BILLIONS. The amount of money available to bribe lawmakers to NOT fix the law is enormous.
That's how America works now. Have you been away?
That's how America works now. Have you been away?
10
And all the people doing this playing/betting beat up the kids playing D&D when they were teenagers
With all the focus on fantasy, the NFL can save the money paying players and lobbying for having stadiums-do it all on a X-box, televise it and be done with it
With all the focus on fantasy, the NFL can save the money paying players and lobbying for having stadiums-do it all on a X-box, televise it and be done with it
I doubt the companies are just a bunch of philanthropists, so if people are winning millions each week, it stands to reason it is gambling.
10
These poor people are being wooed by commercials that tout the bettor's "knowledge" and "skills" about sports. I've had a father, a brother, a husband, two sons and lots of uncles, cousins & friends. They ALL thought they had special insight and knowledge about any given game/sport. I shudder to think of guys quitting their jobs (like one ad brags) and spending $$ they don't have on this instead of paying the rent or saving for the future.
The only sport they're competing in is darts - take one & throw it at a board with your favorite teams/players stuck on it - that's as good a way as any of "winning".....
The only sport they're competing in is darts - take one & throw it at a board with your favorite teams/players stuck on it - that's as good a way as any of "winning".....
6
As our world chooses sides on so many moral issues, I am reminded of Pete Seeger singing "Whose Side Are You On Boys" and the need for everyone to eventually choose if they serve the dark or the light? Clearly, the NFL and their enablers ESPN, CBS and NBC have chosen to be shills for gambling in exchange for money. Though amoral, on the sliding scale of greed and avarice in 2015, this is also just another defining (albeit poor) choice. Inherent within gambling (be it sports or financial derivatives) is the truth that it creates nothing beyond mere profit, loss or gets a fan interested in a coin flip.
At the end of each day, all of us must make a moral inventory and declare whose side we are on. The pro sport hypocrites protected by monopoly and trust now serve gamblers, Vegas and the dark side. It is a choice which defines them as either greedy, sociopathic or both. This is who they are.
At the end of each day, all of us must make a moral inventory and declare whose side we are on. The pro sport hypocrites protected by monopoly and trust now serve gamblers, Vegas and the dark side. It is a choice which defines them as either greedy, sociopathic or both. This is who they are.
Way back when FF began, my husband and some friends started a league. Woe be to any wife who dared take a phone call before 11am on Sunday, someone might be calling in a trade! Or threw away a scrap of paper from the coffee table that contained some important tidbit. I actually found my husband watching motor cross one evening, a sport he has called stupid to a participant's face. Closer inspection revealed a ticker on the bottom of the screen showing football information. They threw a few bucks in and then put together a family potluck at the end of the season.
Before long some local bars got involved, the pots got bigger, the rules sterner but, hey, it was getting some guys in the bars during slow seasons, can't be all bad that a local is making money, can it? Then the whole shebang moved online and I found myself calling my husband at work to question a credit card expense to something that sounded suspicious. He was paying the fee to set the league up online. And it was not cheap, I think about $100 so everything could be updated in real time.
I've seen FF evolve and we appear to be at the logical place. Big money to be made, so big money is being thrown around. The attraction is gambling, not football. The people into these sites are not fans, they are gamblers. The hubby is now in just a family league, the records are again on spreadsheets and the most money we've spent was on a traveling trophy for bragging rights.
Before long some local bars got involved, the pots got bigger, the rules sterner but, hey, it was getting some guys in the bars during slow seasons, can't be all bad that a local is making money, can it? Then the whole shebang moved online and I found myself calling my husband at work to question a credit card expense to something that sounded suspicious. He was paying the fee to set the league up online. And it was not cheap, I think about $100 so everything could be updated in real time.
I've seen FF evolve and we appear to be at the logical place. Big money to be made, so big money is being thrown around. The attraction is gambling, not football. The people into these sites are not fans, they are gamblers. The hubby is now in just a family league, the records are again on spreadsheets and the most money we've spent was on a traveling trophy for bragging rights.
I see the add where the guy says I paid $35 and won a Million. And it reminds me of the lottery. All these people out there that flunked 6th grade math losing money betting and their ego makes them tell everyone else they are big winners. Soon we'll have to create gubmint funded rehab programs for sports gambling addicts. Are we getting tired of these circular situations yet ?
14
If the NFL and its franchises are profiting from this, then it is only a matter of time (weeks?) before players and coaches are incentivized to manipulate game plans and rosters to make the "fan experience" more intriguing. Which team won? What team? It's just bunch of individuals running around playing for fantasy.
FanDuel and Draft Kings are fantasy sports on steroids, week-long competitions with routine betting. The mom and pop leagues, set up by friends, are harmless and fun--possibly money changing hands, a couple hundred dollars maybe, between friends, but this is agreed upon at the beginning of the season, does not fluctuate from week to week. The danger comes with weekly competitions promoted by FanDuel and Draft Kings. Most will lose, but all you see is the big check winner in the ads. It's a lottery; lot's buy in, few win.
It's a back-door legalization of sports gambling. But so what? There are so many government-sanctioned casinos, Indian casinos, lotteries etc. and so many television, radio and websites that promote sports gambling. Acting shocked, shocked that gambling is going on seems a couple decades late. Like marijuana, gay marriage and prostitution, gambling is going to legal coast to coast.
14
It's an unregulated industry that is half gambling, half lottery. It's obviously extremely lucrative to operate, just like auto insurance, given the incredible number of commercials we're being bombarded with.
6
It does seem to remove the element of directly betting (and therefore the potential for "fixing") the games themselves. So long as the states can tax this cash cow, I'd say let it go. I love the idea of disrupting the whole gambling industry anyway. It's such a waste of money. If this disrupts it further, great!
Of course it is gambling. It's just gambling on individual players instead of teams.
36
Aside from fitting a category for most irritating, it has the rank smell of gambling.
18
Of this is organized betting, and what is infuriating is that sports broadcasters or analysts are openly and consistent pushing this playing while in the middle of game broadcasts. I have been confused a few times already by talk of "fantasy" that I mistake for game talk by broadcasters.
I find this onslaught of advertising and pushing gambling to be ethically outrageous and a detraction from actual games. Go bet, but we need to keep that separate from sports as such.
I find this onslaught of advertising and pushing gambling to be ethically outrageous and a detraction from actual games. Go bet, but we need to keep that separate from sports as such.
49
Could not agree more. This is betting. Don't try to paint it as something else. The law of unintended consequences will come back to bite the NFL and the NCAA on this one.
So it surprises me not at all that it is also promoting a form of gambling that promises to make legions of casual fans into gambling addicts.
Eventually though, once the gambling stakes are high enough, the legitimacy of game outcomes will be threatened by the temptation for the marginal player here and there to fill his ladle with some of the money gushing around. And then it will all fall down.