With a vote looming on a bill that would legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports in California, the fantasy sports industry has launched an offensive against one of its most vocal critics in the state.
In a radio ad that is reportedly airing on three radio stations in Assemblymember Marc Levine’s district, the Fantasy Sports Trade Association calls for voters to contact Levine.
“…if Assemblyman Marc Levine wants to vote no on fantasy football, maybe we should be voting no on Marc Levine.”
Read the full text of the ad below or hear it here.
Levine became the fantasy industry’s top target in the state by writing a letter to Attorney General Kamala Harris asking her to rule daily fantasy sports to be illegal gambling under state law.
“(Daily fantasy sports) is illegal at this moment and should not continue,” Levine told the Orange County Register in November. “I will be very glad to consider the strongest regulations in the country, if it is to be permitted in California, but not until we’ve had that conversation. These websites should cease and desist immediately because they’re operating illegally in the state of California.”
Since then, a bill that would make DFS a legal and regulated game in California has been re-introduced in the state assembly and has breezed through its first two committee votes, with only Levine voting against thus far.
It’s expected to come up for a vote on the Assembly floor Wednesday and must pass with a 2/3 majority by Thursday or be effectively sent back to the starting line.
“Fantasy sports betting sites are trying to bully their bill through the legislature,” Levine told Sacramento television station KCRA. “Legislators and lawmakers like me are trying to do the right thing on behalf of our constituents.”
“It turns off voters and it turns off legislators,” he told the Los Angeles Times.
Full text of the ad:
Right now state legislators are working to protect your right to play fantasy football—but not Assemblyman Marc Levine. He’s the politician who wants to ban fantasy football in California.
While other legistlators all voted to adopt the industry’s highest standards of play, Assemblyman Levine vote “no” and thinks the government should take fantasy sports away. Permanently.
Next, there’ll be laws against playing fantasy football.
No thank you, Assemblyman Levine. We work hard during the week, and sometimes it’s just fun to play fantasy sports with our friends. Rather than standing with California’s consumers, Assemblyman Marc Levine said, “no.”
Let’s tell Assemblyman Marc Levine “no,” by going to www.CaliforniaFans.org. Because if Assemblyman Marc Levine wants to vote no on fantasy football, maybe we should be voting no on Marc Levine.
Send a message to Marc Levine at CaliforniaFans.org.