Posted: December 12, 2024, 08:23.
Last updated: December 12, 2024 10:07h.
The SAFE Bet Act, introduced in Congress in September by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-New York) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), is finally scheduled for a public hearing.
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee will consider the SAFE Bet Act, a bill that would regulate sports betting at the federal level. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (Image: Casino.org)
Next Tuesday, Dec. 17, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider a bill aimed at imposing a series of federal regulations on the legal sports betting industry to increase consumer protection. The title “SAFE Bet Act,” or “Supporting Affordability and Fairness in All Betting Laws,” appears to have been thought through by lead author Tonko, who is the most powerful and influential member of Congress. It has been submitted to one of the committees.
The Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), titled the discussion, “America’s High-Stakes Gamble on Legalized Sports Gambling.” Mr. Blumenthal is one of 21 members of the Judiciary Committee.
Safe Bet SAFE Bet Stall
Tonko and Blumenthal say the rapid expansion of states legalizing sports betting is having a negative impact on society. They believe federal intervention is necessary.
The SAFE Bet Act proposes a series of regulations, including a ban on all sports betting television and streaming advertising from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and during all live sports programming. Certain marketing expressions, such as “risk-free betting” and deposit bonuses, will be illegal.
Sportsbooks will be banned from using AI to tailor incentives and promotions to players, and player price checking will become the norm. Bettors will be limited to five deposits per 24 hours and credit cards will no longer be accepted on online betting accounts.
Whether you’re scrolling through social media, driving down the freeway and passing billboards, or listening to your favorite podcast or radio station, sports betting ads can be a big hit with flashy promotions. It encourages an endless cascade,” Tonko said in September. “The relationship between the gambling industry and sports has reached an intolerably dangerous level, and it is long past time for Congress to step up and make changes.”
Blumenthal said Congress is not trying to ban gambling, but “acts that exploit and abuse people.”
An influential gaming lobby led by the American Gaming Association (AGA) in Washington, D.C., says state legislatures have already introduced consumer protection measures and sportsbooks are going to great lengths to protect their customers. states. The AGA claims they have invested in responsible gaming tools and are committed to responsible play.
“Six years after the launch of legal sports betting, the introduction of a strong federal ban has cost countless hours and resources to develop thoughtful frameworks unique to jurisdictions and iterated as a market. This is a slap in the face to state legislatures and gaming regulators who have continued to evolve.” said Chris Silk, AGA’s senior vice president of government relations.
Committee oversight
The Judiciary Committee has broad legislative powers and its primary role is to serve as a forum for public debate on social and constitutional issues. In May 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), which had limited single-game sports betting to Nevada.
SCOTUS’ landmark decision said PASPA violates the anti-commander interpretation of the Tenth Amendment. The court held in Christie/Murphy v. NCAA et al. that the U.S. government cannot force a state, namely New Jersey, to refrain from participating in an activity while simultaneously allowing another state to do the same. He said he couldn’t do it.
SCOTUS ruled that PASPA forced New Jersey to act against its own interests. The court said that if Congress wanted to regulate sports betting at the federal level, it could, but it could not force some states not to do what others can.
“While Congress can directly regulate sports betting, states are free to act independently if they choose not to,” the court’s opinion states. “Our job is to interpret laws enacted by Congress and determine whether they are consistent with the Constitution. Paspa is different.”
Since the 2018 ruling, Congress has chosen not to intervene. As a result, 39 states and Washington, D.C., have passed laws authorizing sports betting.
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