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Speaking at Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals, newly appointed Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred spoke candidly about his league’s decision to partner up with daily fantasy sports firm Draftkings. He also discussed the prospects of legalized sports wagering.
The state of Kansas ironically was voting today on whether fantasy sports (all versions including season and daily) should be legalized.
“Let me start by drawing what I think is a really important decision and drives our current decision making on this topic: There’s a federal law that defines the difference between gambling and fantasy. We made an agreement with DraftKings after a really thorough review of the games and after we satisfied ourselves that they fell on the fantasy side of the line. I think that that fantasy space, the DraftKings, FanDuel kind of space, is really important to the engagement of young people. … I think it’s important for us to be competitive in that space.
“With respect to the broader issue of legalized gambling, I have great respect for (NBA Commissioner Adam) Silver. He is a really intelligent and clear-thinking gentleman. I do agree with at least one thing he said, which is whatever the law’s going to be on gambling, there ought to be a uniform federal law … State-by-state regulation of gambling I think is not ideal.
“In terms of a broader shift on baseball’s stance with respect to legalized gambling, we’re a little different. The history of my office is founded on the issue of making sure that the integrity of the game was protected from gambling. I recognize the world is changing, but I think before you see any real shift from us there’s going to have to be a really in-depth conversation with ownership. Because it’s pretty fundamental to what baseball’s been all about.”
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
