In a move that could have significant implications for the sports betting industry, Congress is currently considering a bill that would ban advertising for sports betting during games and prohibit bets on college athletes.
The bill, known as the Protection of Amateur Athletes Act, was introduced by Senator John Smith from Nevada. The legislation has already garnered support from both sides of the aisle, with lawmakers from states with large college sports programs voicing their approval.
If passed, the bill would make it illegal for sportsbooks to advertise on television or radio during any live sporting events. This means that viewers would no longer be bombarded with ads for FanDuel or DraftKings during commercial breaks.
In addition to banning advertising during games, the bill would also prevent sportsbooks from accepting bets on any college athletes. Proponents of the bill argue that allowing bets on college athletes opens the door for corruption and could potentially harm the integrity of college sports.
“We have seen far too many instances of athletes being approached by gamblers and being offered money to throw games,” Senator Smith said in a recent statement. “We need to take proactive measures to protect these young athletes and ensure that our college sports remain clean and fair.”
While the bill has received backlash from the sports betting industry, with many arguing that it will hurt their business and infringe on their rights, supporters believe that it is a necessary step to protect the integrity of sports.
“We need to put the interests of the athletes and the fans first,” said Senator Smith. “Allowing sports betting ads during games and bets on college athletes only serves to create potential for corruption and harm the reputation of our sports. It’s time we take a stand against these practices.”
The bill is currently making its way through Congress, with several hearings scheduled in the coming weeks. If passed, it would mark a significant shift in the sports betting landscape and could have far-reaching implications for the industry as a whole. Overall, the bill represents a larger push to regulate and monitor the rapidly growing sports betting industry in the United States.