Writer elaborates on 'fantasy sports pari-mutuel'
Pub Date: 7/1/2008
By Ryan Sherman,
Executive Secretary
MT Board of Horse Racing
Helena
Fantasy sports wagering, in a form called Montana Sports Action, is a result of legislation passed in the 2007 Legislative Session. House Bill 616 authorized the Board of Horse Racing to conduct fantasy sports wagering through a pari-mutuel network licensee.
In order to raise enough funds to hold race meets in 2009, the Board of Horse Racing needed to have a viable fantasy sports game in place by September 2008.
To meet that goal, discussions between the Board of Horse Racing and the Montana Lottery began in April and led to an agreement between the two entities to begin operation of fantasy sports betting through the Lottery s gaming system. This takes low-key fantasy sports that has been widely accepted in Montana for years and offers an electronic way for people to play.
The proceeds from the sale of the Montana Sports Action will be shared among players (74 percent), with the remaining 26 percent divided between the Board of Horse Racing (61.54 percent of the 26 percent), 15.38 percent (of the 26 percent) to the bar or tavern selling the tickets, and 23.08 percent (of the 26 percent) to the Lottery.
The purpose of HB 616 was to help increase purses for horses racing in Montana. It is estimated that up to $3 million per year could be raised to help revitalize horse racing in Montana through this program.
The game will debut prior to the first professional football game in August, and will give players an opportunity to create their ideal football team and win a pari-mutuel prize.
To play the game, customers will select on a betting slip six eligible players from a roster of professional football players. Positions chosen will be: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, kicker and defensive unit. Each week, customers will be able to choose their own teams until 30 minutes before the first scheduled game of the week (Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, depending on the week s schedule).
How well a player (or defensive unit) performs during their games for the week will determine how many points are assigned. Both positive and negative points will apply. Each team member s points will be totaled to determine the customer s team score.
The computer gaming system will calculate the totals and identify which fantasy teams have the highest point totals. The team with the highest points wins the top prize, 50 percent of the prize pool. The team with the second highest point score will receive 30 percent of the prize pool, and the remaining 20 percent will go to the team with the third highest point score. The customers whose teams have the highest points for the week will win, based on the number of shares they have in the prize pool.
Lottery is in the process of licensing interested bars and taverns. To be a licensed fantasy sports wagering provider, the facility must also be a licensed gambling operator under state law. Licensed Montana Sports Action retailers will also carry traditional lottery products like Scratch tickets and Powerball.
Installation of the equipment will begin in August, and it is expected that the first game will be available in late August. For more information about Montana Sports Action or the application process, log on to .
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, April, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.