Fantasy Competitions - Alterations and Voluntary Exclusion Requirements

HB 731 amends Maryland law to regulate fantasy competition operators. It requires the State Lottery Commission to mandate a $50,000 annual registration fee for operators (previously optional), with fees directed to Maryland's education fund. The bill also requires operators to establish a voluntary exclusion program, prohibiting them from allowing individuals on the exclusion list to create accounts or win prizes. Additionally, it updates definitions of "fantasy competition," "sporting event," and "sports wagering" to clarify regulatory scope. These changes directly affect fantasy sports operators and players seeking to self-exclude.