Fantasy sports regulations in North Carolina turned back

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – Some North Carolina legislators have turned back efforts to regulate the fast-growing fantasy sports industry after social conservatives argued it would further legitimize gambling in the state.

A House committee rejected Wednesday recommending a bill to subject fantasy sports contest outfits to registration requirements and minimal operating standards.

Nearly a dozen states have regulations in place. Bill sponsor Rep. Jason Saine of Lincolnton said North Carolina should join them to prevent potential future industry abuses and because so many state residents already are playing. Fantasy sports games usually entail creating lineups of players to score points based on individual statistical performances.

North Carolina Family Policy Council lobbyist John Rustin said the bill would represent a “massive expansion” of legalized gambling. But Saine says fantasy sports don’t meet the state’s definition of gambling.

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