Against the Rules with Michael Lewis Episode 3: Welcome to the Garden State
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Oct 8, 2024 Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, constitutional lawyer Ted Olson, and lobbyist Joe Brennan Jr. discuss the journey from fantasy sports to legalized sports betting in New Jersey. Christie shares insights on the critical role his state played in this shift, while Olson reveals the legal challenges that culminated in a Supreme Court victory. Former Senator Ray Lesniak adds his perspective on advocacy, and Professor Allison LaCroix contextualizes the legal complexities involved. Together, they unravel the intertwining of sports, law, and state rights.
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Fantasy Sports Origins
- Fantasy sports originated in 1979 when Dan Okrent invented a game where players drafted teams of real baseball players.
- FanDuel and DraftKings later capitalized on this by creating daily fantasy sports, accelerating the game and introducing significant monetary incentives.
The Money Aspect
- Early users of daily fantasy sports showed little interest until the possibility of winning money was introduced.
- This highlighted the significant motivational power of financial incentives in gaming.
Rise of Daily Fantasy Sports
- By 2012, millions played fantasy sports, leading to the creation of DraftKings to compete with FanDuel.
- These companies spent heavily on TV advertising, emphasizing large potential winnings, which drew legal scrutiny.
