Recent increases in professional sports betting scandals, as well as death threats, have caused members of Congress to consider stricter regulations.
The Senate Commerce Committee has recently responded to a betting scandal that occurred in October involving some current NBA coaches and players. This is not the first scandal of its kind among professional sports leagues, and as a result, legislators in Congress are considering federal laws to regulate sports betting.
Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin stated, “Sports betting creates a credibility crisis for the leagues when you can place all kinds of bets, not just on the outcome of the game. There’s a reason they call it a vice. We’ve let it get out of control.”
Legislators have also expressed concern for the safety of athletes and coaches, as they are facing a higher number of death threats from bettors who are upset with the outcomes of certain games.
There are currently no federal regulations in place to govern online sports gambling, and each state implements its own. Professional leagues such as the MLB, NBA, and NFL have also claimed to have their own controls in place to help track suspicious betting activities and the sharing of insider information.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for the members of Congress as they consider and examine bills to help regulate professional sports betting.
- For U.S. commerce officials as they review corruption and threats toward professional athletes and in sports leagues.
- For freedom for those in the U.S. who may be struggling with a gambling addiction.
Sources: The Hill, MSN
