TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With a legislative debate looming about fantasy sports, an industry group contributed $52,000 to Florida political committees in October -- with much of the money going to committees linked to powerful lawmakers, newly filed finance reports show.
The contributions came on top of $70,000 that the Fantasy Sports Trade Association contributed in September.
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Among the association's latest recipients were committees linked to Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee, R-Brandon; Senate Regulated Industries Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island; House Rules Chairman Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne; and House Majority Leader Dana Young, R-Tampa, according to campaign-finance and committee records.
Also, the association gave $15,000 to a committee led by Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, but that money was returned.
The contributions came amid a national debate about whether online daily fantasy sports games are an illegal form of gambling.
The fast-growing industry disputes the assertion, but the New York attorney general this week moved to shut down the games in his state.
In Florida, incoming Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said this week they will seek to pass legislation that would regulate the industry while allowing it to continue operating.