AGA ups the ante in fight to repeal PASPA

Increasing pressure to repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the American Gaming Association launched the American Sports Betting Coalition (ASBC), today (Monday).

The launch comes on the back of the release of new research by Oxford Economics which surmises legalization would curb an illegal sports betting market conservatively estimated at $150 billion, would support up to 152,000 jobs, create an estimated $26 billion in economic output and generate up to $5.3 billion in tax revenue.

“The group unites law enforcement, states rights’ advocates, state and local policymakers and gaming industry leaders,” an AGA press statement reads, whose formation is “a critical component of providing Washington with the impetus to take action.”

The AGA points out that seven U.S. States have introduced sports betting bills in 2017 despite federal prohibition and that it has contributed in discussions with player union executives from the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL who have all met to “begin preparing for a potential legalization of sports gambling.”

The ASBC is supported by some pretty powerful movers, which include the Fraternal Order of Police, National District Attorneys Association, Major County Sheriffs Association, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and National Conference of State.

ASBC undertakes to empower law enforcement with robust regulations and 21st century tools. The coalition will include an advisory council of law enforcement and state and local elected officials to solicit critical input as all invested stakeholders craft a solution.

ASBC has launched on http://www.sportsbettinginamerica.com with a comprehensive directory of information that supports its cause.