H.R.1552 - Providing Responsible Oversight and Transparency and Ensuring Collegiate Trust for Student Athletes Act; PROTECT Student Athletes Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1552, the PROTECT Student Athletes Act, aims to prohibit proposition bets on the performance of student athletes in intercollegiate sporting events. The bill empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce this prohibition, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices. It defines key terms like "covered prop bet," "intercollegiate sporting event," and "student athlete" to clarify the scope of the prohibition.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would likely eliminate a specific form of sports betting that Congress believes threatens the integrity of college sports and the well-being of student athletes. This could lead to changes in the sports betting industry and potentially impact revenue streams for some businesses. The FTC would gain additional enforcement responsibilities in the realm of sports betting.
Potential Benefits
- Protects student athletes from potential exploitation and undue pressure related to betting.
- Maintains the integrity of college sports by reducing incentives for point-shaving or other forms of cheating.
- Provides a consistent federal standard for regulating sports betting related to student athletes.
- Empowers the FTC to address unfair or deceptive practices in the sports betting industry.
- May enhance the educational environment for student athletes by reducing distractions related to sports betting.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Could reduce revenue for sports betting companies and potentially impact related industries (e.g., advertising, broadcasting).
- May face challenges in enforcement, particularly with online betting platforms operating across state lines.
- Could be perceived as an overreach of federal authority into an area traditionally regulated by states.
- May not completely eliminate the risks to student athletes, as other forms of betting could still exist.
- Potential for unintended consequences if the definition of "covered prop bet" is too broad or narrow.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill relies on the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) as its basis for federal regulation. Congress argues that sports betting, including proposition bets on student athletes, constitutes a substantial part of interstate commerce. Therefore, federal regulation is necessary to maintain consistent standards and protect student athletes. The bill's alignment with the Commerce Clause depends on whether the courts agree with Congress's assessment of the interstate nature and economic impact of the targeted betting practices.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).