The Alabama legislature has approved a daily fantasy sports bill and sent it to Governor Kay Ivey.
The bill calls for fantasy sports operators to register with the Alabama attorney general’s office and to pay fees and taxes to the state.
Three years ago, state Attorney General Luther Strange sent cease-and-desist letters to fantasy sports operators, saying the contests violated Alabama’s gambling laws. After several failed proposals, the current bill was passed last week.
The bill would require fantasy sports operators with more than $10 million in national gross revenue to pay an $85,000 annual fee to the state. Other operators would pay a $1,000 annual fee.
The state Senate raised the proposed tax on revenue from Alabama players from 8 percent to 10.5 percent. The Senate then passed the bill by a vote of 22-8 and the House agreed with the tax rate change and gave the bill final passage.
Meanwhile, a daily fantasy sports bill has advanced in North Carolina.
A bill in the state’s House would create a state gaming commission to regulate fantasy sports, the North Carolina Education Lottery and any professional boxing matches held in North Carolina.
The bill cleared a House committee vote last week. The bill would require fantasy game operators to register with the gaming commission, ensure that no one under 18 and no insiders are playing and submit annual financial audits.
You’ll be able to drop a few bucks in the slots at a new Delta casino by late fall of next year.
