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Is it gambling? Why fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel are illegal in Washington state

More than 40 other states allow daily fantasy betting. But as ads from FanDuel and DraftKings flood TV, Washington residents are banned from playing.

For anyone tempted to test Washington’s hard-line stance against fantasy sports, Ronald Ehli has a warning.

The former Washington resident knows all too well about how our state rigidly defines and aggressively pursues anything with even a hint of illicit gambling. That’s something the largest fantasy sports companies are well aware of despite being legal almost everywhere else in the country.

As debate rages nationwide about whether fantasy sports is gambling or a game of skill, no one from that industry will test a state that tends to seize bank accounts first and ask questions later.