Locke Lord QuickStudy: Federal Sports Betting Legislation Introduced in the Senate

The legislation likely will be stalled for the remainder of this year and will be re-introduced in the next Congress. In a press release, Sen. Hatch and Sen. Schumer pitched the legislation as upholding the integrity of sports wagering and the underlying sporting events themselves. As Sen. Hatch is retiring at the end of this year, Sen. Schumer stated that he “will strongly advocate for this bill to move forward and for Congress to vote to pass federal legislation very soon.” Thus far, the National Football League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Council on Problem Gambling have spoken up in support of the legislation. However, as discussed in the prior Quick Study, other key players, including the American Gaming Association, are opposed to federal oversight where regulation of gaming has traditionally been left to the states.

Our Federal Public Law and Policy group will be tracking this legislation closely and is available to provide insight and guidance.