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Daily Fantasy Sports: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

68 videos recommended on HN
YouTube
1 HN user recommended this commentary1 month2015–2021 score 1
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026

HN uses it as the canonical link whenever daily fantasy sports comes up.

John Oliver's Last Week Tonight segment on daily fantasy sports, arguing the sites are effectively gambling operations despite their claims. It mocks their advertising and the skill-versus-chance defence.

“this link (John Oliver) needs to be posted eventually when discussing anything DFS related” (HN, 2016)

1 recommendations · 3 citations · Commentary · news from the time

4 Hacker News comments

From the HN archive; up to 20 kept per video, favoring different commenters. Recommendations first.

@akerl_ Dec 2015 Recommends
on HN thread Top fantasy sports player uses software, analytics to reap millions
Read more
Probably worth checking out [this video] The relevant point being that not everybody believes they're a "game of skill" in the "skill vs. chance" slider which is relevant to the law. While there's no question that like every game, user actions (skill) can impact the outcome, how much it can impact the outcome is what determines whether something is classified as a game of skill or chance. Perhaps it's more clear if we say "a game of primarily skill" or "primarily chance". If daily fantasy sports is primarily skill-based, they can do it. If it's primarily chance-based, it's illegal in the US. Which is why they're pushing for it to be referred to as "skill-based".
John Oliver on whether daily fantasy sports is skill or chance.

Citations, criticism and jokes

@kriro Jan 2016 Cites it
on HN thread Payment Processor to Stop Working with Daily Fantasy Sports Clients
Some questionable processors will step in. Stuff will get shut down, money will be frozen in accounts. This is online poker all over again. I think DFS has better chances of survival because they have some strong deals with people that know how to move and shake in Washington (NFL says hi). And of course this link (John Oliver) needs to be posted eventually when discussing anything DFS related: [this video]
Canonical John Oliver link for any DFS discussion.
@HenryBemis Mar 2021 Cites it
on HN thread Fantasy Soccer Keeps My Kids Connected and Happy
Perhaps this is something different, but I remember watching John Oliver - Last Week Tonight some years back and he kinda presented it as a gateway to gambling: [this video] And a video (fake) ad with some nice comedians: [this video]
John Oliver presented fantasy sports as a gateway to gambling.

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