FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Campaign for Fairer Gambling Calls for Swift Congressional Action Following Senate Hearing on Sports Betting Oversight

WASHINGTON– The Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG) today applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee for its examination of the rapidly expanding U.S. sports betting market. The hearing underscored the serious financial and social harms stemming from the gambling sector’s unchecked growth and reinforced the urgent need for federal oversight to protect consumers, local economies, and the integrity of the market.

Derek Webb, founder and funder of CFG, stated, “The testimony made it abundantly clear that the state-by-state regulatory approach is failing. Without federal oversight, gambling expansion will continue to harm the public while empowering illegal operators.”

Key Takeaways

• Strengthening Consumer Protections: Witnesses emphasized the need for national standards.
• Combating Illegal Gambling: Black market operators—valued at $40 billion annually—undermine legal markets, exacerbating financial harm and siphoning economic activity.
• Learning from State-Level Failures: Lawmakers acknowledged the need to balance gambling expansion with robust public welfare protections.

CFG Restates Support for Key Federal Legislation

In response to the critical issues raised during the hearing, CFG reaffirms its support for the following legislative measures:

• GRIT Act – Ensures gambling operators are held financially responsible for the harm they create, including funding for addiction prevention, treatment, and education programs.
• SAFE Bet Act – Establishes national standards to strengthen consumer protections, improve transparency, and ensure fairness across the sports betting market.
• GAP Act – Addresses gambling addiction within the military by mandating prevention and treatment programs, ensuring servicemembers receive the support they need.

Additionally, lawmakers raised concerns about anti-competitive practices in the gambling sector. Senators have called for an investigation into major operators accused of undermining competition and violating antitrust laws, underscoring the need for federal oversight to ensure a fair and competitive market.

About the Campaign for Fairer Gambling

The Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG) is an independent gambling reform organization with expertise in gambling business practices in both the U.S. and U.K. CFG is committed to promoting fairer gambling through research, advocacy, and reform, providing policymakers with reliable data to inform smarter gambling policies.

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