Mississippi regulates fantasy sports

Governor Phil Bryant signed legislation to regulate and tax operators of daily fantasy sports contests.
House Bill 967 will set an eight percent tax and authorize the Mississippi Gaming Commission to regulate fantasy sports contests online or in casinos. Regulations will apply to fantasy sports contest operators who have 100 or more players drawn from the general public.
Operators would have to undergo a background check, get a state license, and be audited annually. They also would have to verify that people placing bets are at least 21.
The bill becomes a law on July 1st. Fantasy football participant Brenten Costner said, “Now that it’s being regulated and the government is trying to get its funding from it is honestly a bunch of b.s. I mean, let them get together and have some fun, but now that you guys are regulating it, it’s going to take the fun out of it.”
Mississippi legalized fantasy sports contests last year and established a study group to recommend rules. Those recommendations are now in the bill.