Proposed Legislation Targets Nationwide Prohibition of Sports Wagers on College Athletes
In the midst of the ongoing March Madness, a significant debate is heating up regarding sports betting rules, with a particular focus on college sports. Congressman Michael Baumgartner, head of the College Sports Caucus, has introduced a bill called the PROTECT Student-Athlete Act, aiming to shield student-athletes from potential exploitation, improper influence, harassment, and manipulation.
The bill, currently under review by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, targets a troubling pattern where student athletes face pressure to play for money, especially in light of the ongoing federal probe tied to the Jontay Porter NBA scandal. Unlike the SAFE Bet Act proposed by Rep. Paul Tonko and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Baumgartner's plan for betting regulations stands apart, focusing on specific bets about individual players' actions or accomplishments, while still allowing bets on overall game results.
The PROTECT Student-Athlete Act also aims to ban all types of prop betting, not just those involving college athletes. This comes as a new survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that while 58% of Americans are okay with gambling on professional sports, 55% of Americans do not want betting on college sports at all.
The bill gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the power to regulate, allowing for tight control and legal action against any groups that do not follow the rules. Breaking the rules under the bill would be considered unfair or deceptive business practices under federal law.
Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced another bill, H.R. 5166, to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve. This legislation, currently being considered by the House Budget Committee, does not directly address sports betting but could potentially impact the future of digital currency in the context of betting regulations.
As the debate on sports betting rules continues, it is clear that the safety and integrity of student-athletes remain at the forefront of the conversation. The PROTECT Student-Athlete Act is a significant step towards ensuring fair play in sports betting, and its progress will be closely watched by sports enthusiasts and legislators alike.
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