The rapid growth of legal sports betting in the United States has prompted calls for stronger federal oversight. Lawmakers warn that relying on state regulations and league rules alone leaves gaps that could encourage corruption and harm to players and fans.
Concerns over integrity and addiction
Sen. Richard Blumenthal has called on Congress to take a more direct role in setting limits on sports wagering. He warned that the pace of legalization has outstripped the safeguards meant to prevent abuse and misconduct. “Congress should be involved in putting some limits on sports betting, no question. There are two consequences from the exploding level of activity we’ve seen: corruption and addiction. The prevalence of corruption shows the guardrails are not working.”
Since the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, states have been free to legalize and regulate sports betting on their own terms. Professional leagues also enforce internal rules that restrict players and staff from sharing sensitive information and work with sportsbooks to flag suspicious betting behavior. In some cases, leagues have collaborated with betting operators to limit wagers on certain propositions tied to individual plays or performances.
Despite those efforts, public confidence appears strained. A Quinnipiac University poll found that about one-third of NBA fans believe players or coaches could be involved in illegal gambling, a result that lawmakers cite as evidence that existing controls have failed to reassure fans.
Scandals and bettor behavior raise alarms
Recent incidents in major leagues have intensified congressional attention. The Senate Commerce Committee contacted the NBA after reports surfaced involving current coaches and players, and later questioned Major League Baseball following indictments of two Cleveland Guardians pitchers accused of manipulating pitches to benefit bettors.
Lawmakers have also focused on the treatment of athletes and coaches by angry bettors. During a December NFL game, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll drew online threats after a late field goal affected the point spread. Barstool Sports CEO Dave Portnoy posted a video saying the coach should be “murdered,” later adding that he “does not support murder.” Senators pointed to the episode as a sign of a gambling culture that has spilled into harassment and threats.
Debate over regulation and economic impact
Professional leagues argue that they invest heavily in integrity monitoring and cooperate closely with sportsbooks, spending large sums to detect irregular betting patterns. Some have responded to scandals by capping wager sizes on prop bets. Blumenthal rejected the notion that frequent exposure of problems proves effective oversight. “That’s like saying we know about the problem and therefore it does not exist,” he said. “I don’t buy it.”
An industry source involved in discussions with lawmakers said betting operators are open to dialogue. “There certainly is an openness to work in a constructive way to help lawmakers understand the nuances of a very complicated ecosystem,” the source said.
Sen. Cory Booker acknowledged the economic benefits in New Jersey, where legal sports betting generated about $162 million in tax revenue last year. Still, he urged stricter limits on prop bets and warned of social costs.
Source:
“Senator calls for more federal oversight for sports betting”, completeigaming.com. December 16, 2025
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