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Iowa bill to legalize fantasy sports payouts set to return

News, Sports

December 31st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa state legislator says he’ll try again to pass a bill that would allow fantasy sports players in the state to claim prizes. The Des Moines Register reports those who play fantasy sports in Iowa are currently banned from obtaining cash prizes. The state Senate approved a bill last session to legalize payouts, but it failed to clear the House.

Republican state Rep. Jake Highfill, the House bill’s chief author, says he’s reworking the bill in hopes to reach a consensus among key parties in the upcoming session. He says the legislation would set an age limit and develop a regulatory structure and tax provisions. Democratic state Rep. Dan Kelley says he is strongly opposed to legalizing payouts, saying daily fantasy games are like gambling.