State Of Montana Instituting NFL-Based Fantasy Lottery Game

Montana Exec Secretary Ryan Sherman said that the state is "instituting a NFL-based fantasy-football lottery game to try to support the Board of Horse Racing, which has been hemorrhaging money," according to Nando Di Fino of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The NFL "isn't exactly fired up about this venture." NFL VP/Corporate Communications Brian McCarthy said, "This game is not authorized nor approved by the NFL." However, Montana, Delaware, Oregon and Nevada are "grandfathered in the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, passed by Congress in 1992," meaning they "are free to produce games like Montana Sports Action Fantasy Football." In the game, players select a lineup consisting of a QB, RB, WR, TE, K and defense. These "elements aren't identified by name, but by their city and jersey number, and come with corresponding numbers that players must select on a lottery slip." Wagers are allowed to be $5, $10, $20, $50, or $100. The game will "pay out like a traditional lottery, with the top three point-scoring players each week collecting 74% of revenue from the week's statewide ticket sales."  Sherman said that if the fantasy football game "proves to be successful, fantasy NASCAR and fantasy golf partnerships with the lottery might not be far behind" (WSJ.com, 8/22).