SAFE Bet Act Sets Federal Regulation
The SAFE Bet Act contains many proposed regulations, but most are focused on sportsbook advertising. One key change proposed would limit when and where sportsbook ads can be shown. Many responsible gaming advocates have blamed advertising tactics on the spike in problem gambling, making this an essential piece of the proposal.
The bill would also move the regulation of the sports betting industry to the federal government. A nationwide prohibition on sports betting would be created, allowing states to apply to reopen their markets, but it would be subject to federal regulation.
State Markets Crying Foul
The sports betting industry has been searching for a way to curb problem gambling, but they believe the SAFE Bet Act would do more harm than good.
Opponents of the bill point to the impact on states with regulated sports betting markets. Those markets took a lot of time and resources to launch and have generated massive tax revenue. Many states use that revenue to boost education systems, fresh water projects, and more.
Industry Offers Strong Opposition
Industry proponents argue that the SAFE Bet Act does not guarantee to reverse the problem. The bill would financially damage states and could lead to many bettors switching over to offshore sportsbooks instead. This would further fuel the spike in gambling addiction in the US while cutting off the most significant funding for problem gambling resources.
If the SAFE Bet Act becomes law, it will force online sportsbooks to overhaul their platforms and advertising strategies. This would have a massive financial impact while also significantly reducing revenue numbers. Those losses likely lead to fewer promos and bonuses from operators and worse odds for bettors.
The sports betting industry has the power to defeat this bill but could decide to make some concessions to prevent it from returning in 2026.
