In 2025 and 2026, several states have continued to revisit fantasy sports regulation as markets evolve and new contest formats emerge. Legislative activity has focused on clarifying statutory definitions, updating licensing and permitting frameworks, adjusting tax structures, and aligning fantasy sports laws with broader gaming statutes.
Maryland: Fantasy Sports Regulation and Sports Wagering Measures
In Maryland, lawmakers introduced House Bill 518, legislation addressing fantasy sports participation, sports wagering practices, and regulatory standards. The bill was introduced on January 27, 2026, and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
HB 518 would prohibit individuals under the age of 21 from participating in fantasy competitions and prohibit fantasy competition operators from offering contests or related services to those under that age. The bill would exempt certain individuals aged 18 to 21 who established fantasy competition accounts before July 1, 2026.
The bill would also direct the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to establish voluntary exclusion lists applicable to lottery games, fantasy competitions, and sports wagering, and to adopt regulations intended to reduce or mitigate adverse impacts associated with gaming activity.
Additional provisions would prohibit player-specific proposition wagers on collegiate athletes, expand operational requirements for online sports wagering platforms, and require the reporting of anonymized wagering data to designated Maryland universities for research purposes. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2026.
Massachusetts: Fantasy Sports Regulation and Advertising Standards
In Massachusetts, lawmakers are considering H.4037, which includes provisions affecting fantasy contests, sports wagering, and lottery operations. The bill was filed on January 17, 2025, and remained pending as of February 1, 2026.
H.4037 would expand and coordinate voluntary self-exclusion programs across fantasy contests, sports wagering, and lottery products. The bill would require fantasy contest operators to deny access, restrict marketing, and withhold prizes from individuals on exclusion lists.
The bill would also establish advertising and marketing standards based on audience composition, placement during sports broadcasts, and age thresholds, and include additional reporting and data-sharing requirements applicable to gaming and wagering operators.
The legislation was referred to the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies in April 2025, with the Senate concurring shortly thereafter. A joint committee held a hearing in November 2025 and moved the reporting deadline to March 16, 2026.
Nebraska: Fantasy Sports Regulation Under the Consumer Protection Act
In Nebraska, lawmakers are considering Legislative Bill 342, a carryover measure from 2025 that would establish a comprehensive framework for fantasy sports regulation through a proposed Fantasy Sports Consumer Protection Act.
LB 342 would legalize and regulate fantasy sports contests by creating a licensing and oversight system administered by the Department of Revenue. The bill would define fantasy contests as skill-based competitions involving rosters of real-world athletes and distinguish them from sports wagering.
The bill would require fantasy contest operators to obtain a license, submit ownership and financial disclosures, undergo background checks, and comply with operational standards. The state would issue licenses for four-year terms, with renewal fees tied to adjusted gross fantasy contest receipts.
The bill would also collect a 10 percent tax on adjusted gross fantasy contest receipts beginning July 1, 2026, allocate that revenue to state funds, and establish enforcement authority and statutory exemptions from criminal gambling provisions.
New York: Expansion of Permitted Fantasy Sports Regulation
In New York, lawmakers are considering Assembly Bill A6022, with companion Senate Bill S2617, which would amend the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law to revise and expand fantasy sports regulation. The Assembly bill was active and pending before the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee.
A6022 would expand the statutory definition of interactive fantasy sports contests to include peer-to-peer contests that use operator-set target scores, where participants select outcomes above or below a defined benchmark. The bill clarifies that these contests do not constitute sports wagering when conducted as interactive fantasy sports contests.
The legislation revises definitions related to operators, contestants, prohibited players, and gross revenue, and establishes a statutory definition of interactive fantasy sports gross revenue. It would extend operator registration terms to 5 years and establish an initial registration fee of $5 million, with renewal fees tied to revenue.
The bill also limits the scope of regulatory authority by restricting the Gaming Commission from regulating contest formats or reclassifying permitted fantasy contests as sports wagering, while directing updates to existing regulations for consistency.
Pennsylvania: Proposed Fantasy Sports Regulation Update
In Pennsylvania, State Senator Chris Gebhard circulated a cosponsor memorandum announcing plans to introduce legislation updating the Commonwealth’s fantasy sports statute. As of the memo’s release, formal bill language has not been introduced.
The memo indicates the proposal would clarify whether newer fantasy contest formats fall within Pennsylvania’s existing fantasy sports regulation framework. Referenced formats would include cross-sport lineups, unrestricted player selection, and nontraditional scoring structures.
According to the memo, these contests would continue to involve virtual teams composed of multiple real-world athletes and remain skill-based. The memo did not outline any changes to taxation, enforcement authority, or licensing requirements.
Virginia: Fantasy Sports Regulation and Tax Framework Revisions
In the 2026 Regular Session, the Virginia General Assembly is considering SB 129, legislation that would restructure fantasy sports regulation by replacing registration with a permit-based system. The Senate General Laws & Technology Committee reported the bill and re-referred the measure to the Finance and Appropriations Committee.
SB 129 would require fantasy contest operators to obtain three-year permits administered by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Permit applications would include ownership disclosures, compliance history, and internal control documentation.
The bill would establish operational standards related to age verification, employee participation restrictions, segregation of player funds, self-exclusion mechanisms, and financial reserve requirements. Operators would also be subject to independent audits and compliance testing.
SB 129 would collect a 10 percent tax on fantasy contest revenue attributable to Virginia players and expand enforcement authority. Existing operators could continue operating during the permit review process if applications are submitted within the required timeframe.
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