California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced forthcoming enforcement actions against daily fantasy sports (DFS) companies, following his recent legal opinion that such platforms operate illegally under state law. The response marks a turning point in a long-standing legal grey area, with tribal gaming leaders backing a stronger stance.
Bonta confirmed that action will be taken to enforce state gaming laws. This follows his July 3 legal opinion, which concluded that paid fantasy contests—such as those offered by FanDuel and DraftKings—constitute illegal sports wagering in California.
“It’s a violation of the law, as our legal opinion has indicated,” Bonta stated during the conference, as reported by KCRA 3. “To provide a platform in the state of California to California consumers for the daily fantasy sports at issue… the next step is our enforcement, and laws are meant to be enforced.”
While Bonta’s office received formal opinion requests from two lawmakers the opinion itself is non-binding. Still, its legal weight has prompted rising concern across the DFS industry.
Tribal Gaming Leaders Applaud the Move
The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), a longtime opponent of unregulated fantasy sports operations, voiced strong support for Bonta’s next steps.
“The spread of unscrupulous and illegal commercial gaming in California has exploded over the past decade,” CNIGA said in a statement. “We commend Attorney General [Rob] Bonta for vowing to enforce gaming laws thus protecting California consumers and the legal gaming industry as a whole. We call on Attorney General Bonta to immediately issue cease and desist orders to all providers of illegal daily fantasy sports platforms currently operating in California in accordance with the law.”
The tribes had gone directly to former State Senator Scott Wilk to request the formal opinion, indicating a strategic move to ensure state intervention. “You have to fight ’em or you’ll get rolled over,” said Victor Rocha, a member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and founder of Pechanga.net.
Major Platforms Remain Silent or Cautious
Several major DFS operators—including DraftKings, Underdog, and the Coalition for Fantasy Sports—declined to comment on Bonta’s announcement. FanDuel, however, issued a brief statement: “We’ve had initial discussions with the Attorney General’s office and look forward to continuing the conversation about the path forward in California.”
Despite the legal opinion, platforms like FanDuel, DraftKings, PrizePicks, and Underdog remain operational for users in California.
Legal Challenges and a Shifting Industry
Meanwhile, resistance is mounting. A Sacramento County Superior Court judge recently denied Underdog Sports LLC’s emergency attempt to block the AG’s opinion.
Bonta emphasized that the legal determination was not a personal interpretation but a mandated duty. “When the AG of the State of California gets a formal request for a legal opinion, as we did here from two separate legislators, it’s our duty, not our discretion, to respond,” he told KCRA 3.
The state now faces what could become a defining legal battle over how fantasy sports are classified and regulated.
Source:
“California’s Tribes Call For Cease-And-Desist Orders Against DFS Platforms”, ingame.com, Jul 25, 2025
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