Since sports betting was legalized across the USA in the spring of 2018, all licensing and regulatory action required was conducted by state governments. However, after a recent rash of betting scandals in pro and college sports, members of Congress are discussing whether it would be prudent to have some Federal oversight in sports betting regulation.
Some Senators believe that the proliferation of bets, especially prop bets and live betting, is creating an environment in which scandal has the potential to blossom.
“Sports betting definitely creates a credibility crisis for the leagues when you can place all kinds of bets, not just on the outcome of the game,” Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin told The Hill.
It’s a dilemma that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle find to be disconcerting. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut believes that the potential for corruption should be of concern to all government officials.
“There are two consequences from the exploding level of activity we’ve seen: corruption and addiction,” Blumenthal said. “The prevalence of corruption shows the guardrails are not working.”
Commissioners of the major pro sports leagues assess that the fact these betting scandals are being exposed and the perpetrators being meted out punishment shows that the system is working. Members of Congress don’t share that vision.
“That’s like saying we know about the problem and therefore it does not exist,” Blumenthal said. “I don’t buy it.”
Here are some potential federal regulations for sports betting
Federal regulation of sports betting could prove problematic, considering that states have traditionally been given control over all regulatory measures in the industry. Still, there are areas that Congress feels it could act on to help improve the regulation of sports betting.
“Congress should be involved in putting some limits on sports betting, no question,” Blumenthal said.
One specific area is with prop bets and microbetting. These are wagers that are placed on actions in the game that generally don’t impact the overall outcome of the game. This could include the result of the next pitch in a baseball game or the next play in a football game. It’s also these types of wagers that have been the basis for some of the recent betting scandals in sports.
“The pro leagues need to do a lot more to control and stop gambling,” said New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat. “We are entering an era where [prop bets] really invite more corruption. It’s a new era that necessitates more controls.
“There’s a role for both the federal government and for the leagues … to make sure we protect these incredible treasures within our culture.”
This is an issue which seems to have bipartisan support.
“There are definitely dark sides to what gambling does to certain communities,” Booker said. “It’s exploitative.”
Added Johnson: “There’s a reason they call it a vice. We’ve let it get out of control.”
4.8
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
BetMGM Review
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
20+ sports available for wagering
Pre-match and in-play betting
Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Promo Code:
BETBONUSMGM
Bet Now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
4.8
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Mobile Statistics
yes
Bet Now
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
4.75
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Over 20 sports
Extensive betting markets
Live betting feature
Bet Now
Find out more on bet365's website
Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. This Referral Code is used for marketing/tracking purposes only. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
4.75
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
Cashout
yes
Partial Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Bet Now
Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. This Referral Code is used for marketing/tracking purposes only. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
FanDuel Review
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
Bet Now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
4.7
/ 5
betting.net™ Rating
Top Features
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
Cashout
yes
Live Streams
yes
Mobile Statistics
yes
Bet Now
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).
Related Articles on betting.net™
+9
