Virginia General Assembly approves regulating fantasy sports

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The Virginia General Assembly has passed legislation regulating the fast-growing but embattled online fantasy industry.

Lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to legislation that formally legalizes and regulates sites like FanDuel and DraftKings.

A spokesman for DraftKings said Virginia is the first state in the country to "establish a legal framework" for fantasy sports.

Similar bills are pending in other states.

Fantasy sports are banned in six states, and attorneys general in New York, Illinois and Texas have issued opinions that they are illegal games of chance, though the industry is challenging the New York and Illinois decisions in court.

The legislation now goes to Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who can sign or try to veto it.