Houston fantasy sports fans watch NY ruling closely

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Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Texan fantasy sports leagues watch New York ruling closely
After fantasy sports sites were deemed illegal by a New York judge, Houstonians are paying close attention to the future of the games in Texas.

NEW YORK (KTRK) -- Houston users of fantasy sports services are keeping a close eye on their games after New York's attorney general says they are illegal in that state.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding the websites DraftKings and FanDuel stop accepting bets from New Yorkers, according to ABC News. The sites must also stop operating in the state.

Schneiderman says the sites are illegal and not games of skill, as they claim to be.

Houston attorney Joel Androphy tells abc13 that while the decision only affects fantasy sports participants in New York, a similar decision may or may not be made in Texas.

"They should not accept bets from people in New York State only," Androphy says. "It may have a domino effect throughout the country. Maybe not. It's going to become a political issue and whether or not other states follow the lead is just speculation."

As much as ten percent of DraftKings and FanDuel's combined bets come from New York, the largest percentage of any state.

Following the letter, Fanduel issued the following statement: