Illinois Says Daily Fantasy Sports Sites Are Illegal

The Illinois Attorney General ruled Wednesday that daily fantasy sports are illegal under state law.

State Attorney General Lisa Madigan delivered the ruling in an opinion to state representatives, reports CNBC, saying that the paid contests offered by online daily sports sites like FanDuel and DraftKings are considered gambling. Madigan’s office said it expects DraftKings and FanDuel change their terms of agreement and post a notice that says Illinois residents can not play.

The companies are already facing a legal battle over the right to operate in New York. While the companies have argued that they run games of skill, officials contest that they are gambling.

FanDuel decried the decision in a statement, adding the FX fantasy football comedy “The League” is set in Chicago

“So why the Attorney General would tell her 13.5 million constituents they can’t play fantasy sports anymore as they know it — and make no mistake, her opinion bans all forms of fantasy sports played for money — is beyond us,” FanDuel said in the statement. “Hopefully, the legislature will give back to the people of Illinois the games they love. A sports town like Chicago and a sports-loving state like Illinois deserves nothing less.”

Read More: The Legal Argument for Daily Fantasy Proves It’s a Racket