Nonprofits to NFL: Stop pushing fantasy sports on kids

BOSTON (AP) — The National Football League should stop offering fantasy sports competitions to children because the games could lead some young sports fans down the path of gambling addiction, two nonprofit groups said in letters sent to Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The two groups – the National Council on Problem Gambling and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood – said in letters today that the NFL "aggressively marketed" a fantasy sports game on "NFL Rush," its website and smartphone app for children, as well as on SIkids.com, Sports Illustrated's website for children, and through an elementary school curriculum based on the contest.

The weekly "NFL Rush Fantasy" games ran throughout the football season and were open to children ages 6 to 12. Each week, an Xbox One console and Madden NFL 2016 video game was awarded to the contest's top performer.

The two contest participants with the highest number of points at the end of the 17-week promotion also won a $5,000 check – which the league called a "scholarship" – plus a four-night trip to Hawaii to attend the Jan. 31 Pro Bowl game with up to two guests.