US congressional subcommittee to review sports betting
A hearing titled “An Examination of Sports Betting in America” has been scheduled for September 27.
US.- A House Judiciary subcommittee scheduled on Thursday a hearing to examine whether federal sports betting guidelines are needed in the country. The hearing is titled “An Examination of Sports Betting in America” and will take place in Washington, D.C., on September 27.
The Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigation is set to review the current situation of the industry, as more states are starting to open their sports betting markets. The US Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting back in May, and now there are five states that have officially launched their operations, with at least two more to come this year.
Subcommittee chairman Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner said: “My subcommittee will look at the implications of this SCOTUS ruling and talk about what it means for the integrity of sports as well as what sorts of improper or illicit activities could arise. Ultimately, we want to determine whether or not a basic federal framework is necessary to guide states’ new gambling policies.”
Last month, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement in which he urged federal sports betting guidelines. The NBA, PGA Tour and MLB said in a joint statement: “As legalized sports betting spreads across the states, there is a need for consistent, nationwide integrity standards to safeguard the sports millions of fans love. We strongly support the legislative framework outlined by Senator Schumer and we encourage Congress to adopt it.”
However, the American Gaming Association (AGA) said that federal oversight of sports betting was an abject failure for 26 years only contributing to a thriving illegal market with no consumer protections and safeguards.
“Legal, regulated sports betting will enable increased transparency and enhance protections for consumers and bet and game integrity,” American Gaming Association senior vice president Sara Slane said in a statement Thursday. “We look forward to discussing the U.S. gaming industry’s core principles for legalized sports betting with the Judiciary Committee at next week’s hearing.”
