Jordan Weissmann is blown away by the remarkable growth of fantasy sports:
[I]t’s probably not a coincidence that fantasy revenues have grown pretty much in lockstep with broadband access and the smartphone boom. It also reflects the continued ascendance of the NFL, which is the top draw for fantasy players. But, let’s be honest, it also speaks to the power of legalized gambling. Yes, unlike poker, fantasy sports are technically considered a game of skill by the feds and most states, which is why the FBI isn’t going and busting down any doors in Bristol. And yes, lots of leagues are all about the bragging rights. But getting people to bet their money on their knowledge of their favorite pass time is a pretty well-worn business model, one which works particularly well on the Web.
The Dish 