Congressional committee hearing on sports betting scheduled

On Thursday Jim Sensenbrenner, the chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigation confirmed that a hearing will be held September 27 titled “An Examination of Sports Betting in America’ .

The announcement follows earlier rumours of such a hearing after warnings by Democratic Party Senators Chuck Schumer and Orrin Hatch that there is a need for federal government involvement in the burgeoning and recently liberated US sports betting scene (see previous reports).

Since the US Supreme Court overturned the PASPA federal ban on sports betting in May this year, Delaware, Mississippi, New Jersey and West Virginia have joined Nevada in offering sports wagering, with several other states embarking on regulatory processes.

“My subcommittee will look at the implications of this SCOTUS ruling and talk about what it means for the integrity of sports as well as what sorts of improper or illicit activities could arise,” Sensenbrenner said.

“Ultimately, we want to determine whether or not a basic federal framework is necessary to guide states’ new gambling policies.”

Whilst the sports leagues have applauded the federal initiative, having implacably opposed more liberalised sports betting for years, the American Gaming Association  has warned that state’ rights regarding gambling need to be respected, and suggested that the states themselves are more than capable of handling the rapidly growing business.

AGA spokesperson Sara Sloane has confirmed that the Association will be present at the hearing and looks forward to “discussing the US gaming industry’s core principles for legalised sports betting with the Judiciary Committee at next week’s hearing”.

Related and similar