Daily Fantasy Sports Supporters Protest New York Attorney General's Ruling

Following New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's ruling that daily fantasy sports are illegal in New York, protesters picketed outside of his office Friday morning.  

According to ESPN.com's David Purdum and Darren Rovell, Schneiderman determined daily fantasy sports are a game of chance rather than skill.

In reference to that, the protesters chanted "game of skill," as seen in this video, courtesy of Rovell:

Per Jim Baumbach of New York Newsday, the group outside Schneiderman's office had other chants prepared as well:

Daily fantasy entities FanDuel and DraftKings are the primary targets of the attorney general's ruling, and according to Baumbach, some of those protesting are employed by one of the two companies.

Schneiderman sent cease-and-desist letters to both FanDuel and DraftKings asking them to stop allowing New York residents to put money into their accounts. Per Purdum and Rovell, Schneiderman declared daily fantasy sports to be a "scheme":

"

Our investigation has found that, unlike traditional fantasy sports, daily fantasy sports companies are engaged in illegal gambling under New York law, causing the same kinds of social and economic harms as other forms of illegal gambling and misleading New York consumers. Daily fantasy sports is neither victimless nor harmless, and it is clear that DraftKings and FanDuel are the leaders of a massive, multi-billion-dollar scheme intended to evade the law and fleece sports fans across the country. Today we have sent a clear message: not in New York and not on my watch.

"

FanDuel and DraftKings have been defiant thus far, and every indication is that a legal battle between the daily fantasy sports giants and the state of New York lies ahead.

Daily fantasy sports have a great deal of support in New York, and while Friday's protest may not influence the ultimate decision, it is clear that many are willing to fight for their legality.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.