The Daily Fantasy Sports crisis has caused several states to consider either regulating the activity or declaring it illegal.
One state that is looking into the path of regulation is Massachusetts and their recent undertaking could open the door for online poker to be regulated.
Massachusetts Lottery to Explore DFS and Other Gaming
On December 29 the Massachusetts Lottery filed a request for information on several forms of online gaming and gambling with Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) being at the top of the list.
The Massachusetts Lottery Commission is inviting companies to "submit proposals for the development, implementation, operational support, and maintenance of a Massachusetts Lottery iLottery System ... and the development and integration of digital versions of existing and new lottery games ('iLottery Games'), including but not limited to social gaming and daily fantasy sports options."
Furthermore, the Lottery is looking for info on gaming systems that will allow for "cross-pollination between online applications and physical retailer space" as well as any other gaming opportunities that may present themselves.
Lottery Commission Most Interested on How Games Would Operate
The RFI filed by the commission is looking for key specifics in terms of online gaming.
First, they want to know how player account registration, authentication and management would work. They also want to know what forms of payment systems and web-based wagering systems there are available.
The RFI also asks for suggestions on how they can implement "responsible gaming controls" and integrate the same into retailers. Ultimately, the Commission doesn't want to harm the retailers that rely on physical lottery traffic.
The Lottery Commission believes that DFS would not harm retailers as it would be a new product and allow the Commission to create new revenue sources while maintaining existing ones.
Online Poker Could Become Part of Study
While DFS is the primary focus of this inquiry, online poker isn't being shut out. In fact technologies already being used by online poker companies in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware could well help the Commission resolves certain concerns about payments methods and player identification.
Geolocation has proven effective in regulated states and thus far there hasn't been a single instance of underage gambling online.
Online poker would be a product that could translate well into the live market. Players could fund their accounts at live retailers or even purchase cards to load their online accounts.
Cross-platform gaming in the forms of scratch tickets would be easy and may already exist. Scratch tickets could be used to promote online poker gaming and vice versa.
This is just one example of a state examining legislation for DFS that could impact online poker as well. Expect more of the same from other states, including California, in 2016.