A group of fans and employees rallied outside the office of New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman to protest his ruling that daily fantasy sports sites FanDuel and DraftKings constituted illegal gambling.
Estimates on the crowd varied depending on the source, but roughly 250 to 300 people showed up, though according to reporters on the scene, a majority of protesters are employed or affiliated with one of the sites. They carried signs, and one even had a bullhorn.
The group contends that daily fantasy is a skill game and not gambling in opposition to Schneiderman’s ruling.
Many carried signs mocking Schneiderman and defending daily fantasy sports.
My favorite sign at daily fantasy rally in front of NY Attorney General's office today pic.twitter.com/MOUOgC4zLa
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) November 13, 2015
Crowd definitely growing. pic.twitter.com/WHP9Wq5l4e
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) November 13, 2015
Rally outside NY AG office has quickly doubled in size; roughly 250ppl #DFS pic.twitter.com/RAyYi0s9OL
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) November 13, 2015
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) November 13, 2015
"Bench Schneiderman This Week" pic.twitter.com/QucH6fp0aU
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) November 13, 2015
— Paul Murnane (@paulmurn) November 13, 2015
FanDuel and DraftKings were quick to draw attention to the protests on social media.
"If only politics were skill-based." #FantasyForAll
Add your name: https://t.co/pd1aJdxgoQ pic.twitter.com/NVg6wDNzwp
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) November 13, 2015
#FantasyForAll Rally in NYC pic.twitter.com/yphqiGYVlr
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) November 13, 2015
Reporters on the scene struggled to find people who didn’t work for DraftKings or FanDuel, however.
Every person I've approached either is an employee of one of the sites or doesn't want to be quoted on the record being here.
— Jim Baumbach (@jimbaumbach) November 13, 2015
To the #DFS folks trying to dispute my estimate that 75% of rally was media or #DFS employees– you're in denial. it was prob even more.
— Daniel Roberts (@readDanwrite) November 13, 2015
The attorney general’s office released a statement regarding the rally.
Statement from the office of the NY Attorney General regarding today's #FantasyForAll #DFS rally pic.twitter.com/cFYE8bN8v9
— Daniel Roberts (@readDanwrite) November 13, 2015
Daily fantasy sites have been under scrutiny ever since DraftKings employee Ethan Haskell allegedly used insider information while playing on rival site FanDuel. Since then, their legality has come into question on a wide scale. They clearly have some support, but it’s unlikely that this rally is going to do anything to change Schneiderman’s mind. Fun signs, though.
