Maine legalises daily fantasy sports

t Kings and FanDuel will be able to operate in Maine following a new law passed on Wednesday which legalises the operation of paid-entry fantasy sports in the state.

Maine will join 14 other US states that have now legalised paid-entry fantasy sports. This follows a strong June for the sector which also saw legalisation bills passed in Delaware, Vermont and New Hampshire.

Marc La Vorgna, spokesperson for DraftKings and FanDuel, said: “Maine is now the 15th state to adopt a regulatory framework to protect the right to play fantasy sports, protect consumers and help a booming piece of the tech economy continue to grow.”

The law will classify the fantasy sports wagers under the remit of a ‘skill game’ and therefore will not have to comply with the state's gaming laws. Instead the bill set limitations such as the age requirement to 18 and up. Collegiate and amateur events are also still banned to wager on.

La Vorgna added: "Thanks to action by the legislature — led by Senators Carpenter, Jackson, Katz, and Mason, and Representatives Dillingham, Farrin, Golden and Luchini — up to 200,000 Mainers will continue to enjoy our new national pastime — fantasy sports — under a framework of sensible, light-touch consumer protections.”

Draft Kings and FanDuel will now be looking to Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey who must soon choose whether he will sign a similar bill passed to him.