With March Madness concluding Monday and record amounts bet on the annual basketball extravaganza, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) emphasized his belief that federal sports betting regulation was needed.
On Friday, the senator held a news conference outlining what he sees as a public health crisis and the need to rein in the industry.
In September, he teamed up with Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) in announcing the SAFE Bet Act (Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet) that would set minimum federal sports betting standards. Those include setting advertising limits, banning offering bonus bets, banning college sports prop bets, and more.
In the news conference, Blumenthal highlighted his bill along with the GRIT Act (Gambling Addiction, Recovery, Investment, and Treatment Act), which is meant to address gambling addiction. Blumenthal believes these two federal proposals could overhaul the industry and limit harm to bettors.
“Casinos are with us literally from morning to evening on these phones,” Blumenthal said. “They are portable casinos that come with you everywhere. This industry needs reform. The consequences of addiction are huge. They break families, stop careers, and lead to job losses.”
Blumenthal stressed that the bills would not ban gambling but only seek some reforms.
“We are not banning it,” he said. “It is not going to be prohibited. Let’s make clear: no prohibition, but several standards … so that the casino in your pocket doesn’t become an instrument of addiction.”
Sports betting and gaming groups have opposed the SAFE Act and don’t believe additional regulations are needed. Critics point to considerable rules already established by state and tribal groups nationwide. Online sportsbooks could lose their operating license if they don’t follow those rules.
“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,” American Gaming Association Senior Vice President of Government Relations Chris Cylke said.
Some lawmakers in the same party as Tonko and Blumenthal oppose the SAFE Act. Rep. Dina Titus from Nevada called the bill “outdated” and “unwarranted.”
“While the SAFE Bet Act is perhaps well-intentioned,” she said, “pre-empting state gaming regulators by outlawing most forms of advertising and restricting the types and methods by which customers can place bets is a misguided approach.”
March Madness wrapped up on Monday night with the University of Florida Gators topping the University of Houston Cougars 65-63. The American Gaming Association predicted Americans would legally wager $3.1 billion on the NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments this year, up from $2.7 billion in 2024.
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