Tonko To Leagues: Back SAFE Bet Act Or Bear Blame of ‘Next Scandal’
Summary
Congressman Paul Tonko has sent letters to commissioners of major US sports leagues — including the NFL, NBA and MLB — urging them to publicly back the SAFE Bet Act or accept responsibility for any future gambling scandals. The move follows recent FBI indictments alleging prop-bet manipulation and a rigged poker ring involving current and former NBA figures, which prosecutors say involved organised-crime groups exploiting inside information on player health.
Key Points
- Tonko wrote to seven league commissioners, naming figures such as Roger Goodell, Adam Silver and Rob Manfred, pressing them to endorse the SAFE Bet Act.
- The letters come after high-profile indictments tied to prop-bet manipulation and claims that organised-crime groups used inside information on player injuries.
- The SAFE Bet Act (co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Blumenthal) would impose federal guardrails: ban sportsbook ads during live games, prohibit bonus bets, limit deposits to five per 24 hours, require affordability checks, ban AI-driven targeting/microbet creation, and outlaw college/amateur props.
- Congressional committees (Senate Commerce; House Energy & Commerce) are probing leagues, seeking briefings and information about betting partnerships and codes of conduct.
- The bill faces strong industry opposition; gambling trade groups including the American Gaming Association label parts of it “federal overreach.”
- Leagues such as the NBA say they are reviewing betting relationships and compliance systems amid mounting scrutiny.
Content Summary
Tonko’s letters are effectively an ultimatum: either sports leagues work with Congress to enact national standards designed to curb harms from sports betting, or they will be publicly blamed for failing to prevent the next scandal. The SAFE Bet Act — reintroduced in March and now pushed back into focus by recent events — seeks sweeping federal standards that go beyond state rules, especially on advertising and the use of AI in targeting bettors. While supporters argue the bill would protect fans, players and the integrity of sport, the gambling industry warns that key provisions would stifle legal markets.
Context and Relevance
This story sits at the intersection of sports integrity, federal regulation and the commercial interests of leagues and sportsbooks. If Congress moves on the SAFE Bet Act, it could reshape advertising, product design, and the use of AI across the betting industry — and force leagues to rethink partnerships with operators like DraftKings and FanDuel. For regulators, operators, team executives and fans, the outcome will affect how betting is presented and policed across the US.
Why should I read this?
Short answer: because this could change everything about how betting looks on your telly. Tonko’s putting leagues on the spot — back the bill and help set the rules, or get blamed when the next scandal breaks. If you care about advertising, AI targeting, league partnerships or whether sports stay trusted, this is the spat to watch.
Author takeaway
Punchy and to the point: Tonko’s move ramps up political pressure at the moment sports gambling is under the microscope. The SAFE Bet Act has teeth and opponents — how leagues respond will tell you whether self-regulation still holds any clout.