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Illinois Says Daily Fantasy Sports Are Illegal

The Illinois attorney general said Wednesday that daily fantasy sports constituted illegal gambling under the state’s laws, adding to growing opposition to a popular pastime that has been embraced by professional sports leagues and has become a ubiquitous advertiser on broadcast television.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan, in a written opinion, said it did not matter if the games involved skill or luck because state law prohibited them either way.

“Absent legislation specifically exempting daily fantasy sports contests from the gambling provisions, it is my opinion that daily fantasy sports contests constitute illegal gambling under Illinois law,” Ms.