A class-action law firm, Gardy & Notis, is suing ESPN, Viacom, Disney, CBS, Hearst, and The Sporting News, among others, alleging that their participation in the thriving field of fantasy sports leagues violates the anti-gambling laws of New Jersey. DeadSpin notes (Jul. 31) that named plaintiff Charles Humphrey “is a resident of Colorado, not New Jersey, and he points out in the suit that he, in fact, has never played any of these fantasy games, unlike you, you heathens.” Humphrey’s press release is here and the complaint (PDF) is here (via Bill Childs and Kevin Heller). The complaint asserts a right to recovery under qui tam (bounty-hunting) laws of Illinois, Georgia and the District of Columbia which allow random outsiders to file lawsuits to recover moneys reaped by way of unlawful gambling.
Fantasy sports leagues? Shut ’em down
A class-action law firm, Gardy & Notis, is suing ESPN, Viacom, Disney, CBS, Hearst, and The Sporting News, among others, alleging that their participation in the thriving field of fantasy sports leagues violates the anti-gambling laws of New Jersey. DeadSpin notes (Jul. 31) that named plaintiff Charles Humphrey “is a resident of Colorado, not New […]
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I cannot follow his logic:
“They say the leagues are skill games. That position is not supportable in view of the variable, unpredictable human element that always is the basis for determining outcome from game to game and week to week.”
If there’s human elements involved, doesn’t that make it a game of skill? I thought what made a game a “game of chance” was the removal of all informed choice and the substition of machine elements, like slots or lottery. Someone help me out here.
If you spend a week’s wages for an opening night box at the opera, you are a patron of the arts. If you blow the kids’ college money for a Superbowl ticket, you are a fan, but if you drop a hundred in the slots or bingo cards you are a profligate wastrel and an enemy of the State.
…you are a profligate wastrel and an enemy of the State (for not blowing it on a state-run lottery with considerably worse odds).