DraftKings processor seeks NY court's help

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Calling itself a bystander caught between conflicting court rulings, a payment processor for DraftKings asked a New York judge to decide whether it may continue its work for the daily fantasy sports site, which the state's attorney general says promotes illegal gambling.

Vantiv Inc requested a ruling on its rights and obligations with respect to processing payments for DraftKings in a filing on Wednesday with a state court in Manhattan.

DraftKings and rival FanDuel are challenging New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's Nov. 10 demands that they stop taking bets in the state, where each has claimed to have more than a half million players.

In its filing, Vantiv said it cannot simultaneously comply with a temporary order from a Massachusetts judge that it process payments for DraftKings customers, and a preliminary injunction from a New York judge that bars DraftKings from doing business in that state.

The Symmes Township, Ohio-based company said there is more uncertainty because a New York state appeals court has put the injunction on hold, and may decide as soon as Jan. 4 whether to extend it.

"Although Vantiv is a bystander to DraftKings and the Attorney General's dispute, it is substantially impacted by these conflicting court decisions," Vantiv said.

"Vantiv understandably is uncertain of its obligations and rights," it added. "An expedited determination is requested and required given the fast-moving legal landscape."

A spokesman for Schneiderman declined to comment on Thursday. A lawyer for Vantiv did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

David Boies, a lawyer for DraftKings, in a statement said daily fantasy sports is a "game of skill" under New York law, and a ruling to that effect from the state appeals court would "remove the uncertainty" for players and business partners.

The case is Vantiv Inc et al v. DraftKings Inc et al, New York State Supreme Court, New York County, No. 654456/2015.

(Additional reporting by Suzanne Barlyn)