Florida lawmakers are moving closer to making fantasy sports legal in the state.
House and Senate panels on Wednesday voted in favor of bills to allow and regulate fantasy sports contests. The legislation would cover both season-long fantasy baseball or football leagues, as well as daily fantasy leagues.
Florida's attorney general back in 1991 issued an opinion that football fantasy leagues were a form of illegal gambling. But fantasy leagues have continued to flourish and expand since then, including the creation of daily fantasy leagues.
Fantasy leagues, however, have come under scrutiny in other states. State officials have confirmed that the U.S. Attorney in Tampa is conducting an investigation, although the scope of it is unclear.
Sen. Joe Negron says the legislation is needed so that Floridians are not charged with a crime.
