US gaming body calls for change to sports betting law
America Gaming Association describes current legislation as "unsustainable" and will look at ways to legalise the activity
A major US gaming association has spoken out against the country’s restrictive sports betting law and established an industry-backed coalition to look into the feasibility of legalising the activity at federal level.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) said current legislation, which prohibits sports betting in all bar four states, was “unsustainable”, in an intervention which marks a shift in opinion from a previously sceptical casino-led body.
The formed coalition will determine whether a “rational alternative” to current sports betting law exists, which could include strict regulation, rigorous consumer protections and robust tools to shut down illegal sites.
“The casino gaming industry is aligned that the status quo is unsustainable,” Geoff Freeman, AGA chief executive, said.
“We look forward to working with law enforcement, sports leagues and other interested parties to consider effective approaches to protecting consumers and the integrity of sports.”
The AGA also issued a number of recommendations, which it said were developed by leadership from casino operators, suppliers and sportsbook operators through a sports betting taskforce, which believes current law is not achieving its intended result.
Delaware, Oregon, Montana and Nevada are the only states to permit sports betting and the AGA estimates that some $138.9bn (£91bn) is wagered illegally each year.
A growing number of states have been attempting to legalise sports betting within their borders, particularly New Jersey which has been engaged in a protracted legal battle with the major sports leagues since 2012.