Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have reintroduced the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every (SAFE) Bet Act, legislation aimed at establishing federal oversight of the rapidly growing sports betting industry in the United States.
The lawmakers strategically announced the bill's reintroduction at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol, just one week before the start of the NCAA basketball tournament, known as March Madness—one of the biggest sports betting events of the year.
"Tens of millions of Americans are anxiously awaiting the beginning of March Madness," said Tonko during the press conference. "In exactly one week, those Americans will be placing and most likely losing bets made on their favorite teams."
The reintroduction also coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month, an annual March campaign focused on educating the public about gambling addiction and promoting prevention and treatment resources.
The SAFE Bet Act outlines several consumer protection measures and regulatory requirements:
Ban on sports betting advertisements from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and during live sports broadcasts
Prohibition of certain marketing language like "bonus," "risk-free," and "no-sweat"
Ban on college player prop bets and in-play/micro-betting markets
Mandatory affordability checks for bettors who reach certain wagering thresholds
Prohibition of credit cards for funding sportsbook accounts
Creation of a national self-exclusion list
Restrictions on VIP programs and the use of artificial intelligence in targeted marketing
This second iteration of the bill includes a new provision requiring states to work with the federal government to crack down on illegal gambling operators—a response to recent coordinated efforts by state regulators who have issued cease-and-desist orders to offshore and unlicensed platforms.
"The reality is that $14 billion in revenue for the gambling industry is $14 billion extracted from the pockets of everyday Americans," Tonko said, citing a 25% year-over-year increase in money lost by Americans legally wagering on sports in 2024.
The lawmakers emphasized that their intent is not to prohibit sports betting but to address what they view as insufficient safeguards against gambling-related harms.
"We're here today because government, at every level, has failed to pay attention to or understand the impact of gambling-related harms," said Tonko.
Dr. Harry Levant, Director of Gambling Policy at The Public Health Advocacy Institute, supports the legislation, stating: "The rapid and unprecedented expansion of the gambling industry has resulted in a public health crisis the scope of which we are only beginning to recognize."
The bill would require reports from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, the Surgeon General's office, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to better understand and address gambling-related public health issues.
The American Gaming Association and other industry stakeholders have expressed opposition to the legislation, arguing that it overreaches and undermines state regulatory authority.
"Six years into legal sports betting, introducing heavy-handed federal prohibitions is a slap in the face to state legislatures and gaming regulators who have dedicated countless time and resources to developing thoughtful frameworks unique to their jurisdictions," the American Gaming Association said in a statement following the bill's original introduction last September.
Critics also contend that prohibitions on popular betting options and promotions could drive consumers back to the illegal market.
Under the proposed legislation, states seeking to offer legal sports betting would need to apply to the federal government through the U.S. Attorney General. Approved applications would remain valid for three years, with no application fee imposed.
Currently, sports betting is legal in 39 states and the District of Columbia, with each jurisdiction maintaining its own regulatory framework.
The SAFE Bet Act faces significant hurdles in Congress, as the previous version introduced in September 2024 failed to advance. The latest iteration has yet to be formally filed but is expected to be considered soon.