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Once Upon a Federal Sports Gambling Bill

In  2018, Utah Senator Orrin Hatch drafted a bill intended to create a framework for federal sports gambling. Readers of this blog will recall that on the eve of the 2018 football season, Senator Hatch, an original author of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (“PASPA”), gave a floor speech foreshadowing that such a bill was in the works in the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling striking down PASPA. On January 3, 2019, the Sports Wagering Market Integrity Act (“SWMIA”) died in Congress, however this proposal provided the necessary framework for a possible federal sports gambling bill in the future.

What were the main components of the draft federal sports gambling legislation?

Senator Hatch’s draft proposal attempted to set up an opt-in framework in which states would have been required to obtain the approval of the United States Attorney General (“USAG”) in order to administer sports gambling programs.  In the absence of such approval, sports gambling would have been prohibited at the federal level.  The bill provided that the USAG must approve a given state’s application unless that state’s proposed sports gambling program does not meet minimum federal compliance standards set forth in the proposed legislation.  These standards included, but were not limited to:

  • Location verification requirements to prevent individuals from wagering on interactive platforms from unauthorized locations;
  • Prevention of wagering by certain prohibited individuals, such as minors and athletes;
  • Licensure requirements for operators that accept sports wagers;
  • Certain consumer protections, such as self-exclusion lists;
  • Advertising standards that prohibit targeting minors; and
  • Real-time information sharing by sports wagering operators with a national sports wagering clearinghouse for the purpose of monitoring suspicious activity.

The proposal was unclear as to how the bill would treat states that have already authorized sports gambling within their borders prior to enactment of prospective federal legislation.  Additionally, the bill proposed amendments to: 1) the federal Wire Act to allow sportsbook operators to lay off bets to other states; and 2) the Bribery Act, by adding extortion, blackmail and wagers based on non-public information as violations.

Concerns For the Future of State and Federal Sports Gambling

There were concerns that Senator Hatch’s proposed bill, by requiring states to opt-in to the legalized framework subject to a veto from the USAG, raised the same constitutional commandeering issues that ultimately befell PASPA.  Nevertheless, the proposal began the tortured legislative process towards federal intervention into the sports gambling arena.  Individuals states will continue to create a patchwork of laws for businesses and individuals to navigate.  Until such time as federal intervention ultimately occurs, it is critical that those interested in entering this space work closely with knowledgeable gaming lawyers.

If you are interested in learning more about this topic or pursuing a venture in this area, please e-mail us at info@kleinmoynihan.com, or call us at (212) 246-0900.

The material contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice, nor is it a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney.  Each situation is unique, and you should not act or rely on any information contained herein without seeking the advice of an experienced attorney.

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This post was originally published on December 10, 2018 and updated on May 5, 2021.

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David Klein

David Klein is one of the most recognized attorneys in the technology, Internet marketing, sweepstakes, and telecommunications fields. Skilled at counseling clients on a broad range of technology-related matters, David Klein has substantial experience in negotiating and drafting complex licensing, marketing and Internet agreements.
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