Congressman Tonko Demands Pro Sports Leagues Support Federal Gambling Safety Standards

The congressman accused the leagues of selling their credibility to gambling operators and failing to prevent criminal conduct. The letters stated: “Claims of prioritizing integrity ring hollow when leagues have sold credibility to gambling operators, integrated betting content into broadcasts, normalized wagering for teenagers, glorified it in advertising, and then failed to prevent criminal conduct from taking hold within the sport.”

Failure of Voluntary Self-Policing

Congressman Tonko argued that the current system of voluntary self-policing has failed. He stressed that the problems extend far beyond the integrity of the sport, encompassing “very real human harm occurring across communities nationwide.”

The congressman warned the leagues that relying on federal law enforcement alone to maintain integrity means “the current system is already broken.” He presented the leagues with a clear choice:

“Either engage directly with Congress to establish mandatory federal guardrails that restore integrity and protect the public or stand in opposition and accept responsibility when the next scandal breaks and more families and lives are destroyed.”

Key Provisions of the SAFE Bet Act

The SAFE Bet Act, which Tonko reintroduced earlier this year, seeks to establish minimum federal standards to create a safer, less addictive product and protect consumers. The legislation focuses on several key areas:

Marketing Restrictions

• Prohibits sportsbook marketing during live sporting events.
• Bans programming designed to induce gambling with promotional language such as “bonus,” “no sweat,” “bonus bets,” or odds boosts.

Affordability and Consumer Protection

• Prohibits operators from accepting more than five deposits from a customer within a 24-hour period.
• Requires operators to conduct ‘affordability checks’ on customers before accepting wagers.
• Prohibits operators from accepting deposits via credit card.

Artificial Intelligence Limitations

• Prohibits the use of AI to track a player’s gambling habits and offer individualized promotions.
• Prohibits the use of AI to create gambling products, such as microbets.

Integrity and Public Health Measures

The SAFE Bet Act would also implement several integrity and public health mandates:

• Bans prop bets on all college and amateur athletes.
• Authorizes SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) to collect national data on the impact of sports betting.
• Requires a Surgeon General’s report on the public health challenges posed by sports betting.
• Creates a national self-exclusion list.