Federal politicians making sports betting moves?

A tweet from the usually well-informed David Payne Purdum at ESPN Friday raises the possibility of an attempt by federal politicians to get involved in the newly liberalised and booming US sports betting scene, regardless of states’ rights or opposition by the American Gaming Association (see previous reports).

Our readers will recall that Senators Chuck Schumer and Orrin Hatch, supported by the disgruntled US sports leagues who lost in their opposition to liberalisation, have previously voiced their belief that federal intervention is necessary in a market where individual states are already running strongly with the sports betting ball.

Purdum tweeted Friday:

“Multiple sources now confirming, a House Judiciary subcommittee is expected to hold a hearing on sports betting at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 27. Hearing has not been put on official calendar yet and postponements happen frequently.”

Part of the federal involvement on developing a legal framework reportedly includes controversial “integrity fees” that benefit the leagues and are essentially “a royalty or a percentage of wagers to leagues – paid by sportsbooks and casinos – for bets placed on their games.”

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