The SAFE Bet Act is being reintroduced ahead of one of the largest U.S. sports events.
Rep. Paul Tonko and Sen. Richard Blumenthal held a press conference to reintroduce the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every (SAFE) Bet Act. The legislation would create federal oversight of sports betting, which is currentlyregulated by states that offer it. The two lawmakers have reintroduced the act ahead of March Madness, one of the largest sports events in the U.S.
“Tens of millions of Americans are anxiously awaiting the beginning of March Madness,” said Tonko during the press conference at the U.S. Capitol. “In exactly one week, those Americans will be placing and most likely losing bets made on their favorite teams.”
The SAFE Bet Act claim the measure would protect sports bettors across the country while cracking down on illegal gambling operations and a lack of oversight.
“We are not here because we want to stop the industry from breaking records, nor are we here to prevent Americans from wagering on sports should they choose to,” added Tonko.
Framework of the SAFE Bet Act
The SAFE Bet Act calls for a ban on sports betting advertising from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and during live sports broadcasts. The piece of legislation also mandates a ban on the availability of college player prop markets and in-game and microbetting markets.
Tonko and Blumenthal’s act requires affordability checks for bettors who met a certain wagering threshold and the prohibition of credit cards for funding sportsbook accounts.
In addition to affordability checks, the measure requires reports from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, the Surgeon General’s office and the Center for Disease Control. It would also mandate a national self-exclusion list.
Blumenthal’s and Tonko’s pending measure also takes steps to combat VIP programs and the implementation of artificial intelligence in marketing by preventing operators from tracking customer behavior or creating personalized betting offers using the technology.
Tonko and Blumenthal’s second attempt at establishing the SAFE Bet Act separates itself from its original version by requiring states to work with the federal government to shutter illegal sports betting operations. The lawmakers have included the new amendment as state regulators across the country work to combat the growth of illicit online gambling.
Support and opposition of the SAFE Bet Act
The SAFE Bet Act has received pushback from other lawmakers across the country due to a lack of confidence in state regulators and the prevalence of existing regulatory measures.
It has also been considered unconstitutional.
Despite the pushback, it has garnered support from responsible gaming groups, including the Public Health Advocacy Institute at the Northeastern University School of Law.
“It [SAFE Bet Act] protects the public by replacing the ethically flawed ‘responsible gaming’ model with comprehensive public health solutions designed to prevent gambling-related harm,” said Public Health Advocacy Institute Director Dr. Harry Levant.
Blumenthal and Tonko first introduced the act last September but failed to move it forward. The latest iteration of the SAFE Bet Act has yet to be filed but will be considered soon.
