Fantasy sports provider PrizePicks changed the games it offers in California. Customers can no longer access its Pick’Em game and can only play its Arena game.
The Arena fantasy sports title pits players against other users rather than playing against PrizePicks. The move comes as the industry anticipates a legal opinion from Attorney General Rob Bonta declaring daily fantasy sports (DFS) illegal in the state.
Key takeaways
- PrizePicks withdrew its Pick’Em game from California, leaving only its Arena game available.
- The company made the move in anticipation Attorney General Rob Bonta would issue an opinion declaring DFS games illegal.
- Other fantasy sports operators like Underdog are suing the AG to prevent him from giving the legal opinion.
California sports betting is illegal, so fantasy sports games are very popular. The Coalition for Fantasy Sports condemned reports California will outlaw DFS. The Coalition revealed to Saturday Down South that only 25% of those polled opposed DFS in the state, while 75% felt voters should determine the future of DFS rather than the attorney general.
However, there is some support for the decision, with the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations and California Nations Indian Gaming Association requesting lawmakers refrain from debating any DFS legislation until Bonta releases the opinion.
Underdog battling California DFS issue in court
While PrizePicks altered which games it offers in California, a competing fantasy sports operator took a different approach. Underdog is suing in California Superior Court to stop the attorney general from issuing an opinion on DFS' legality in the Golden State.
Underdog argues the AG is overstepping his authority by issuing an opinion on the legality of fantasy sports. Attorney generals are supposed to give legal interpretations, and 18 months of research Bonta’s office required suggests a period of factual investigations. Underdog also indicates the executive branch should declare if a vertical is illegal, not the AG.
Underdog also pointed out Sen. Scott Wilks, who requested the legal opinion, is no longer in office.
California gambling debates continue
Fantasy sports are not the only aspect of California gambling under scrutiny. Lawmakers are considering bills to ban sweepstakes casinos in the state. Sweepstakes casinos let players play online casino games using virtual currency rather than cash.
Whether the law will follow a similar New York proposal that recently passed lawmakers' scrutiny remains to be seen. However, it seems California's gambling landscape will be significantly different at the end of 2025 compared to the start.
