Jackley: Fantasy sports not illegal in South Dakota

Fantasy sports players in South Dakota are safe from legal charges, for now.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has confirmed that local residents who bet on daily fantasy sports will not be indicted, adding that he will wait for a clearer directive from the legislature whether the contest constitute illegal gambling under the state law.

“Based on the current state of uncertainty, including the ongoing debate on whether daily fantasy sports wagering is predominately a permissive game of skill or and an unlawful game of chance, it will not be my intent to seek felony indictments here in South Dakota absent a clearer directive from our state legislature,” said Jackley in a statement.

Jackley assigned the South Dakota Gaming Commission to provide guidance for the fantasy sports industry, followed by the commission’s ruling last month that they don’t have legal authority to regulate the fantasy sports.