Judge delays blocking DraftKings, FanDuel from operating in NY

A state appeals court judge is temporarily allowing daily fantasy sports sites DraftKings and FanDuel to keep operating in New York, blocking a lower court ruling while the issue is fully considered.

State Supreme Court Appellate Division Associate Justice Paul Feinman granted the emergency motion filed by the companies late Friday, several hours after a lower judge ordered them to stop taking business in New York.

The order allows FanDuel and DraftKings to keep operating in New York through at least next month. A full panel of the judges will then rule on whether the companies can do business in in the state while the appeals process unfolds.

Eric Schneiderman has called the games illegal gambling based on chance, not skill. His office sued the companies in state court to force them to stop.

The companies argue their games are based on skill and are therefore lawful.

Messages seeking comment from Boston-based DraftKings and New York-based FanDuel were not immediately returned. 

With the Associated Press