H.R.2087 - Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet Act of 2025; SAFE Bet Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2087, the SAFE Bet Act of 2025, aims to establish federal standards for sports betting, allowing states to opt-in by creating regulated programs approved by the Attorney General. The bill defines key terms related to sports wagering and sets minimum standards for state programs. These standards include consumer protections, restrictions on certain types of bets, and measures to ensure contest integrity.
Expected Effects
The bill would create a framework for legal sports betting nationwide, subject to federal oversight and state implementation. It would likely lead to increased regulation of the sports betting industry, with potential impacts on revenue, consumer behavior, and public health. The Act also creates a national self-exclusion list.
Potential Benefits
- Consumer Protection: Establishes standards for self-exclusion lists and responsible gaming.
- Contest Integrity: Aims to prevent match-fixing and protect the integrity of sporting events.
- State Flexibility: Allows states to create their own sports wagering programs within federal guidelines.
- Revenue Generation: States can generate revenue through taxation of sports wagering.
- Data Security: Requires sports wagering operators and state regulatory entities to take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to data.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Federal Overreach: Some may argue that establishing federal standards infringes on states' rights.
- Economic Impact: Restrictions on marketing and promotions could negatively impact revenue for sports wagering operators.
- Enforcement Challenges: Ensuring compliance with federal standards across all states could be difficult.
- Privacy Concerns: Collection and sharing of anonymized sports wagering data may raise privacy issues.
- Potential for Addiction: Increased accessibility to sports wagering could lead to higher rates of gambling addiction.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is complex. Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce under Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (the Commerce Clause), which could justify federal regulation of sports wagering that crosses state lines. However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, raising questions about the extent to which Congress can dictate the specifics of state sports wagering programs. The establishment of a national self-exclusion list could be challenged under the Tenth Amendment.
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).