SAFE Bet Act of 2025
SAFE Bet Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# SAFE Bet Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What It Does:** The SAFE Bet Act would create federal rules for sports betting across the United States. Currently, sports betting is regulated state-by-state with varying rules. This bill would require all states to meet minimum federal standards if they want to allow sports betting. It would also ban illegal sports betting operations and require the Department of Justice to approve and regularly review each state's sports betting program every three years. **Key Provisions and Who It Affects:** The bill includes several consumer protections: states must prevent people under 21 and sports industry employees from betting, restrict advertising during live games, and implement safeguards like deposit limits to protect against problem gambling.
States would need to designate an agency to regulate betting operators and enforce the rules. The bill also requires federal agencies to study how sports betting affects public health. This affects sports bettors, state governments, betting companies, and sports leagues. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet Act of 2025 or the SAFE Bet Act of 2025This bill establishes minimum federal standards for sports betting. It also requires federal agencies to evaluate the effects of sports betting on public health.The bill prohibits sports betting unless conducted through an approved state program; violations are subject to civil penalties. States administering a sports betting program must obtain approval of the program every three years from the Department of Justice (DOJ).In providing approval or renewal, DOJ must determine that the state’s program meets minimum standards specified in the bill, includingdesignating a state regulatory entity to regulate sports betting operators and enforce state laws,prohibiting operators from marketing during live broadcasts of sporting events,prohibiting betting by individuals under 21 or members of sports organizations,implementing affordability protections such as certain deposit limits and income verification,requiring operators to allocate funding for treatment and education on gambling disorders, andfacilitating a state self-exclusion list (and a national list in coordination with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) so individuals may voluntarily restrict or place limits on their sports betting. Also, the bill requires various federal agencies to expand surveillance of gambling addiction, conduct a nationwide survey annually on the harm caused by online sports betting, and report to Congress on public health challenges related to sports betting.
Latest Action
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.