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Overview
Fantasy sport has existed for over 50 years. While fantasy sports were traditionally played offline (using dice, game boards, and player cards), the advent of computers and the internet have made fantasy sport more accessible and sophisticated. There are many different forms of fantasy sports, however the most common include rotisserie and pool leagues. Here, players are drafted by the 'general manager' of each team. Teams compete against each other, the results of which are based on current actual play. Although fantasy sports can be played for free, often there are entrance fees and the winning teams will earn back a percentage of the 'pot' (i.e. the full sum of all bets).
Key Points
Currently, there is much interest and debate about whether to classify fantasy sports as gambling - with some authors arguing that it involves mainly skill and is therefore not gambling. However, in the current advent of daily fantasy sport (DFS), this notion is being challenged. In DFS, one can bet on the outcome of one's team on a day-to-day or play-to-play basis, with the winner receiving the pot. The relationship between fantasy sports, DFS, and the development of gambling problems is currently unknown.
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References
Lomax, R. G. (2006). Fantasy sports: History, game types, and research. Handbook of Sports and Media, 383-392.
Moorman, A. M. (2008). Fantasy sports leagues challenged as illegal gambling. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 17(4), 232.
Cabot, A. N., & Csoka, L. V. (2006). Fantasy sports: One form of mainstream wagering in the United States. J. Marshall L. Rev., 40, 1195.