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Reid Hopes for Scrutiny of Bets on ‘Fake’ Sports (Video)

(Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)
(Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid has never been a fan of fantasy sports, but the Nevada Democrat really wants the people in charge to figure out how to keep tabs on the money that’s changing hands.  

“I hope there’s ways of controlling this money that’s obviously being bet on fake games and fake players,” said Reid.  

Anyone who has been watching sports lately has been inundated with advertising for companies like FanDuel and DraftKings offering one-week fantasy games with real money. Those are services that critics say amount to gambling operations.  

Reid Hopes for Scrutiny on Fantasy Gambling Sites

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Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has already called for a congressional hearing on the issue. Reid, who served as the Nevada gaming commissioner before his career in Congress, did not go that far.  

The full exchange with Reid is below:

LESNIEWSKI: Senator Reid… REID: I recognize that voice. (LAUGHTER) How come you’re back there? You’re supposed to be over here. LESNIEWSKI: On a completely different topic, but… REID: The Nationals, right? Bryce Harper for MVP. (LAUGHTER) LESNIEWSKI: It’s a sports question actually… REID: Good.
LESNIEWSKI: … but it’s not about baseball. REID: As long as it’s not about hockey. LESNIEWSKI: What do you make of all of these — I don’t know if you’ve seen them, but these — these fantasy games that have been dominating all of the commercial time during the NFL games and whatnot? I think you’re going to find it might be of interest to someone from Las Vegas. REID: As some of you know, in one of my prior lives, I was chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, and during those days, we were the only gambling deal in town. Gambling is a very difficult thing to control, and it’s — when you have the commodity as cash, it’s very hard to control. And so I — one, when I was recovering from my injury, somebody sent me a long book to listen to dealing with fantasy sports. To be honest with you, I appreciate the gift, but I — it just didn’t mean anything to me. I’m not into that stuff. I like the real thing. My point is, I hope there’s ways of controlling this money that’s obviously being bet on fake games and fake players.  

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