Fantasy Football was first started by the part owner of the Oakland Raiders, Bill Winkenbach, in 1962 and gained a steady following through the years. Now that the Internet is available everywhere, there are many betting sites where players can join a league and bet on their favourite player or team. For many, fantasy sports are more a game and friendly competition than anything else, but is it considered gambling?
What is fantasy football?
Fantasy football is when individuals make their own teams using real-life sportsmen and women to form an ideal team for themselves. Points are then earned according to how players perform in real-life matches and events. Participants will earn points during the whole season on how the chosen players perform or the team's performance during a particular game or season.
What's the difference between sports and fantasy sports betting?
Even though there are similarities between sports and fantasy betting, like they are available at your favourite crypto casino, and both involve betting on the game's outcome, there is a vast difference between them. In sports betting, players place a wager on the outcome of the game, while fantasy sports do not require a real money wager.
In addition, fantasy sports are considered a game of skill as participants research the players and strategies individually or with others to create a winning team. Finally, sports betting is seen as a game of chance because anyone can place a bet without having any or little knowledge of a game or team playing.
What does the law say?
That would depend on where you live, but fantasy sports are not illegal in most countries worldwide as they are seen as games of chance. For example, the US Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 exempts fantasy sports from being classified as gambling. In the UK and Europe, it is seen as betting but not illegal. However, various age restrictions apply across Europe, namely Greece, where participants must be 23 to play, and participants from Denmark, Estonia, and Latvia must be 21.
Fantasy sports as a social activity
Research shows that people who participate in fantasy leagues are reported to have increased social connections and a sense of community. That's mainly down to participants having to communicate about the players of the virtual teams and creating strategies and tactics for the next steps. In addition, the passion these individuals have for a particular sport can build lasting and meaningful relationships.
As such, fantasy sports are not just about winning. It`s about building a team, involving family, friends and colleagues who can help analyse the data, conduct research and make informed decisions.
In closing
While fantasy sports are not everyone's cup of tea, they are not illegal as they are seen as a game of skill rather than chance. Fantasy sports require a tremendous amount of effort and time that goes toward researching players and their analytical data. However, the load can be shared among multiple participants, which creates social connections. It's a fun, yet competitive environment, where, if managed correctly, it can create lasting friendships.
