Congresswoman Pours Cold Water On Federal Sports Betting Bill's Prospects
An enthusiastic piece of legislation that intends to place the federal government into oversight of legal sports wagering is already under fire from its critics and may face an uphill climb in a currently divided Congress.
New York City Rep. Paul Tonko and Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal formally introduced the sure thing Act recently, a bill that would put a blanket restriction on sports betting throughout the U.S. unless licensed by the Department of Justice.
The proposed legislation quickly drew pushback from the gaming market and one prominent legislator, Nevada Rep. Dina Titus, who stated it was a "misguided approach" to attempt to pre-empt state regulators.
Not so fast, my friend
Titus' district consists of part of Las Vegas, and she co-chairs the Congressional Gaming Caucus in Washington, D.C.
Moreover, in spite of sharing Democratic Party subscription with Tonko and Blumenthal, and in spite of seeing their effort as well-intentioned, Titus is bearish about the sure thing Act's prospects in the legislature, especially now, in the middle of the campaign season.
"It's partly a messaging costs," Titus said Thursday throughout a gaming-focused occasion hosted by news outlet . "I do not see it passing, certainly not this session. Probably nothing's going to pass this session, however we do not want it to get a head of steam going forward."
Inquired about the winner Act sponsored by Rep. Paul Tonko, @repdinatitus informs @eschor:
"I think that's much better to have self-regulation or state policy, not to have the federal government get included at this level." pic.twitter.com/3xvmgKxewp
Titus sees a "stigma" connected to the gambling industry - despite the fact that it provides jobs and produces tax revenue - that makes it a target for lawmakers. Her choice is to keep the states in control of legal sports betting in the U.S. and to keep federal meddling to a minimum.
The Tonko-Blumenthal legislation likewise exceeds just limits on marketing. To name a few things, it would set federal requirements for various parts of the service, such as how frequently a player might deposit with an online sportsbook.
"I do not think that's the method to approach it," Titus said of the constraints. "I definitely support responsible video gaming. The industry does. They have actually taken vibrant actions, returning to the 90s, to regulate themselves, and I believe that's better, to have self-regulation or state regulation, not have the federal government get included at this level."
The remarks from Titus suggest the sure thing Act will have its fair share of opponents in Congress. While passage was never ever a certainty, what does seem specific is that there will be political pushback in some form.
"What the Supreme Court did explicitly set out in their choice ... was that Congress retains the right to manage sports gambling," Tonko said recently. "So that's what we're all gathered here today to reveal, as an effort that we're going to accept."
"It's overwhelming to me in the arrogance of (the feds) saying 'we know more than you do' without working on things together that we have actually already connected to deal with to make things better for our citizens in all the states that legalize sports betting," - Dave Rebuck 9/19
Titus has battled against federal intervention in the gaming industry before, such as by proposing legislation that would rescind Washington's 0.25% tax on sportsbook manage. She has actually likewise butted heads in the past with Blumenthal over an expense proposing to commit manage tax revenue to problem gambling programs.
Titus is not alone in her appointments about the sure thing Act either. In addition to state legislators and regulators who might not desire the federal government peering over their shoulders, the market fasted to pan the legislation.