Honorable Tracy O. King, Chair, House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1544 by Raymond (Relating to fantasy sports contests.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would add Chapter 2053 to the Occupations Code, regarding fantasy sports contests, which would allow individuals to operate certain fantasy sports contests and to award prizes. The bill would allow individuals to pay to participate in fantasy sports contests. Prizes could not be awarded based on the score, point spread, performance of any team(s), or based solely on the single performance of an individual athlete. Fantasy contest operators would be prohibited from awarding prizes in contests based on live pari-mutuel racing under the Texas Racing Act.
The bill would require fantasy sports contest operators to implement various consumer protection procedures, and would limit participation in these contests to individuals 18 years of age or older. The Attorney General could pursue an injunction against individuals in violation of or threatening to be in violation of this chapter, and to recover reasonable expenses incurred in this effort.
The bill would make conforming changes to the Penal Code.
The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment, assuming it received the requisite two-thirds majority votes in both houses of the Legislature. Otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2019.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 307 Secretary of State