A few weeks ago, we talked about an announcement by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan regarding the legality of online fantasy sports in the state. As sports fans who are proud to call Illinois home, the Attorney General’s determination that Illinois residents cannot participate in pay-to-play fantasy sports without breaking the law has directly impacted many of us at OVC, INC., along with millions of others around the state. Our first post on the subject mentioned that two major players in the online fantasy sports industry had filed suit against the Attorney General, claiming that her interpretation of the state’s gambling laws is incorrect and that the games should be officially declared legal. While similar battles are underway in other states, including New York and, most recently, Texas, the cases in Illinois are on the fast track to the courtroom, which at least one trial expected to begin in Cook County by mid-summer.

Quick Recap

Just before Christmas, Ms. Madigan issued an advisory opinion that daily fantasy sports games violate the state’s statutes regarding gambling. As pay-to-play games for cash prizes, her letter indicated, fantasy sports games rely primarily on luck and performance of professional athletes well beyond the fantasy participants control. Therefore, she sees the games as illegal under current Illinois law, and asked host sites to warn Illinois residents of the illegality.

Despite our commitment to serve the marketing needs of attorneys across the country, OVC, INC. is proud to call Illinois home. As such, we are very aware of the constantly changing legal environment as it effects The Land of Lincoln. Recent developments around the state have begun interesting discussion that could potentially effect a social activity popular in countless offices and workplaces. The issue in question is the legality of daily fantasy sports and a push by lawmakers to fully consider the future of such games.

Attorney General’s Comments

Last month, Illinois Attorney General Lisa issued a written opinion on the topic. Daily fantasy sports games, which involve participants selecting a team of professional athletes and competing based on the players’ actual on-the-field performances, have become a multi-billon enterprise in the last few years, led by sites such as FanDuel and DraftKings. Madigan expressed her take in letters to the two companies, stating that, “absent legislation specifically exempting daily fantasy sports contests from the [state’s] gambling provisions, it is my opinion that daily fantasy sports contests constitute illegal gambling under Illinois law.” She went on to say there is pending legislation to exempt the games from gambling prohibition, but that, in the meantime, she expected the companies to notify would-be bettors that they were not able to play in Illinois.

With the advancement of legal online marketing and all the new responsibilities the management of your firm’s online presence brings to the table, it is possible the basics of maintaining or even constructing a relevant legal website representative of your firm has not taken place.

The 2013 numbers from Statistic Brain  reveal the number of Google searches per day has increased to 5,922,000,000. It is imperative that your firm's marketing specialist understand the importance of maintaining a website. With a refresher course below, Legal Websites 101, the relevance of a Grade A website as well as review of domain names, design, and content can help bring an understanding of important basic elements a strong law firm website contains.

First Day of Class

Naperville DUI attorney Don Ramsell and Jonathon discuss the National Transportation Safety Board's recommendation to states that they lower the blood-alcohol content level on The Brandmeier Show. Jonathon Brandmeier currently hosts the morning show on Chicago’s WGN Radio AM 720, a powerhouse station heard in thirty-eight states. The show is also streamed live worldwide on wgnradio.com, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn radio. Attorney Don Ramsell represents criminal defense clients across the State of Illinois, including matters of DUI Defense, Drug Charges, Expungements and Sealing, Juvenile Offenses, Property Crimes, Sexual Offenses, Traffic Violations, Secretary of State Hearings, Violent Crimes, White Collar Crimes and Asset Forfeiture. Get in touch with the experienced attorneys at Ramsell & Associates, LLC by calling 1-888-FELONYS or contacting the firm online. Ramsell & Associates, LLC offers law services in DuPage County, Kane County, Will County, Cook County, McHenry County, Lake County, and Kendall County, Illinois.

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