MONTGOMERY (TAB) — Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange announced April 29 that both companies had entered into settlements with the State of Alabama to cease operations in the state effective May 2. The settlements come in response to the Attorney General’s determination that the online games constitute illegal gambling under Alabama’s gambling statutes. Strange issued cease and desist letters to the two companies on April 5.

“I am pleased to report that fantasy sports operators DraftKings and FanDuel have complied with my order that they halt paid contests within the State of Alabama,” Strange said in a statement.

“As Attorney General, it is my duty to uphold Alabama law, including the laws against illegal gambling. The daily fantasy sports operations violate state law because a player stakes something of value on a contest of chance in order to win a prize. While there is a measure of skill involved in creating a fantasy sports roster, in the end contestants have no control over the performance of the players on their rosters. This activity is illegal under Alabama law.”

The full story will be in the May 12 issue of The Alabama Baptist.
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