Blumenthal Highlights SAFE Bet Act in the Wake of Latest Sports Betting Scandal
The SAFE Bet Act would prevent coaches and athletes from betting on their own games, crack down on prop bets, and address the public health impact caused by the widespread legalization of sports betting
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today issued the statement below following the indictment of more than 30 individuals in cases involving sports betting and gambling schemes:
“These troubling indictments are the most recent signal that the sports betting industry has corrupted the game to the detriment of fans and victims of gambling addiction. My SAFE BET Act would prevent coaches and athletes from betting on their own games, crack down on prop bets, and ensure that there is finally vigorous oversight of gambling companies. Letting gambling companies turn sports into the wild west has been an abysmal and absolute failure – it’s time for Congress to enact the SAFE BET Act into law.”
Today, the FBI indicted more than 30 individuals, including a current NBA coach and former player, as part of a federal grand jury investigation into illegal sports betting and illegal gambling. This is the latest in a series of scandals involving corruption by players and coaches in professional and college sports.
Earlier this year, Blumenthal and U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY) reintroduced the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet (SAFE Bet) Act, legislation that would address the public health implications resulting from the widespread legalization of sports betting in the United States. The legislation would require states offering sports betting to meet minimum federal standards in the categories of marketing, affordability, and Artificial Intelligence to create a safer, less addictive product.
Since the 2018 Supreme Court decision that allowed for the widespread legalization of sports betting, the gambling industry has broken revenue records every year. In 2024, Americans legally wagered a record $147.91 billion on sports, up more than 23 percent from 2022. More than 95 percent of money wagered on sports last year was done online, according to the American Gaming Association (AGA).
A fact sheet of the SAFE Bet Act can be found HERE. Bill text can be found HERE.
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