Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
# Summary of H.R. 9590 — SAFE Bet Act
This bill establishes federal standards for sports betting across the United States. Under the legislation, sports betting would generally be prohibited nationwide, except in states that apply for and receive approval from the Attorney General to operate state sports betting programs that meet specific federal requirements. States seeking approval would need to submit applications describing their regulatory framework and assurances that they have adequate legal authority to oversee the program. The Attorney General would have 180 days to approve or deny applications, and approved programs would remain valid for three years before requiring renewal.
The bill imposes extensive consumer protection standards on sports betting operators, including age verification (minimum 21 years old), prohibitions on betting by athletes and team employees, mandatory self-exclusion programs both at the state and national level, restrictions on withdrawal of winnings, and requirements to dedicate revenue toward gambling addiction treatment and education. Operators would face strict affordability protections, including limits on credit card deposits, daily deposit caps, and mandatory affordability checks for large wagers exceeding $1,000 in 24 hours or $10,000 in 30 days. The bill also prohibits operators from using artificial intelligence to target specific individuals with gambling offers.
Regarding the products and promotions allowed, the bill bars proposition bets on amateur and college sports, prohibits wagering after sporting events begin, and restricts advertising through broadcast limitations and content requirements. Operators must maintain detailed records of wagers for five years, report suspicious activities to regulators and sports organizations, and undergo background checks and licensing. The federal prohibition on sports betting takes effect 18 months after enactment.
The bill also creates new public health measures, including an annual nationwide survey on online sports betting, a national self-exclusion registry maintained in cooperation with states, a Surgeon General's report on sports betting public health challenges, and an expanded surveillance system for gambling addiction. The legislation grants states and tribes authority to enact additional requirements beyond federal standards and does not affect existing state taxation of sports wagering.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.