Bill > SB0339

This bill establishes a framework for the regulation of paid fantasy sports games in Indiana, explicitly stating that these games do not constitute gambling. It allows paid fantasy sports games to be conducted online by "game operators" (companies that professionally run these games for cash prizes and charge entry fees) or on the premises of certain licensed facilities, such as casinos, through contracts with the facility owners. A new "paid fantasy sports division" within the gaming commission will be responsible for administering, regulating, and enforcing these activities, with powers including investigations, license revocation, and imposing civil penalties. The bill defines key terms like "paid fantasy sports game," which must have pre-determined prizes, rely on participant knowledge and skill, and not be based on the performance of a single team or athlete in a way that resembles traditional gambling. Game operators must be authorized to do business in Indiana, pay significant initial and annual fees, and implement procedures to verify participant age, protect financial information, and prevent insider participation. The bill also includes provisions for financial audits, segregation of participant funds, and a reserve requirement to protect participant money, and it mandates that individuals must be at least 18 years old to play. Furthermore, it outlines restrictions on advertising to minors and at schools, and it integrates with existing child support enforcement laws to allow for the interception of winnings from individuals delinquent in child support payments.