Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a formal opinion declaring that California fantasy sports are illegal under current state law. The opinion, released in early July, states that these contests constitute gambling and are not permitted under California’s long-standing prohibition on sports wagering. According to Bonta’s legal interpretation, fantasy sports contests offered by major platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, and Underdog Fantasy violate California’s Penal Code section 337a, which prohibits betting on games of chance. Bonta concluded that daily fantasy sports involve players staking money on uncertain future events, meeting the legal definition of illegal gambling in the state. This…

California DFS – or Daily Fantasy sports – has been thrown into uncertainty following a state order that could soon force major platforms to cease operations. The California Department of Justice issued letters to leading DFS companies, warning them to halt operations by early July or face potential enforcement. The directive affects major DFS operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and Underdog Fantasy. While the state has long allowed DFS to operate in a legal gray area, the new order asserts that the contests violate California’s gambling laws. The DOJ’s move follows growing pressure from tribal gaming interests and lawmakers who…