US sports leagues support proposed federal framework
Three national sports leagues are in favour of a federal regulation of the sports betting industry.
US.- The Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Associated (NBA) and the PGA Tour released a joint statement this week supporting the proposal of New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who suggested a federal framework for sports betting.
The US Supreme Court voted in May to overturn a federal act from 1992 that prevented states from offering sports betting services. Now, Senator Schumer believes that the country needs a federal framework to regulate the activity, as he says it will be beneficial.
“As legalised 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,” the leagues said in the joint statement.
On the other hand, the American Gaming Association (AGA) said that while it shares Senator Schumer’s goal in preserving the integrity of sporting events and providing consumer protections, a federal oversight of sports betting was an abject failure for 26 years and only contributed to a thriving illegal market with no consumer protections and safeguards. “New federal mandates are a nonstarter,” said AGA’s Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Sara Lane.
