US politicians call for greater oversight of sports betting
US lawmakers have renewed calls for federal oversight of online sports betting, warning the rapid growth of the sector is creating a public health risk driven by aggressive marketing and technology.
Speaking at a public health symposium in Boston, Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congressman Paul Tonko said they would push for minimum national standards to address what they described as predatory practices within the industry.
“We are facing a perfect storm of addiction fueled by technology designed to target consumers in real time, especially young people,” Blumenthal said.
“Fighting this industry is an uphill battle. We need better laws, stronger enforcement, and continued public advocacy, but I believe we will prevail.”
The event, hosted by the Public Health Advocacy Institute at Northeastern University, brought together policymakers, academics and health experts to examine the impact of online gambling.
The lawmakers are backing the SAFE Bet Act, which proposes federal safeguards while maintaining legal sports betting. Discussions at the symposium focused on concerns around the scale of advertising, the use of data and technology to target users, and rising engagement among younger demographics.
“It is impossible to ignore the similarities between Big Tobacco and the online sports betting industry,” Tonko said.
“Through aggressive marketing, celebrity endorsements, and constant access, the industry knows exactly who it is targeting. Without strong federal standards, this industry will continue to chase profits at the public’s expense.”
The SAFE Bet Act is a proposed federal bill in the United States that would introduce nationwide standards for online sports betting, including restrictions on advertising, affordability checks and enhanced consumer protections.
The conference also featured international experts in gambling harm, highlighting broader concerns about the effectiveness of current responsible gambling frameworks as jurisdictions continue to expand regulated betting markets.
