Bill · S. 1033· Senate(119-S-1033)
SAFE Bet Act
- Introduced
- 3/13/2025
- Last activity
- 3/13/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Blumenthal
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The SAFE Bet Act of 2025 seeks to establish minimum Federal standards for sports wagering across the United States. It prohibits sports wagering except where authorized by a State sports wagering program or applicable State social gambling laws. The bill outlines specific standards for State programs, including prohibitions on certain types of bets, advertising restrictions, and consumer protections. It also establishes public health initiatives, such as a national self-exclusion list and annual surveys on online sports betting. Additionally, the Act mandates specific recordkeeping, licensing, and data security requirements for operators.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+6
The bill implements significant financial safeguards, including deposit limits and affordability checks, to protect consumers from gambling risks.
Does this make mental health care easier to get?+5
The bill enhances mental health surveillance and funds treatment for gambling disorders.
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill establishes federal standards that preempt certain state-level sports wagering practices.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
The bill imposes new regulatory burdens, advertising restrictions, and compliance costs on gambling operators.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protections against gambling addiction: The bill provides a process for individuals to restrict themselves from placing wagers via a State or national self-sclusion list (Section 103(b)(6)(A)).
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Financial safeguards for consumers: Operators are prohibited from offering reload bonuses or tier programs that reward specific levels or rates of gambling activity (Section 103(b)(2)(F)).
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Affordability and spending controls: The Act requires affordability checks for large deposits and prohibits the use of credit cards for deposits (Section 103(b)(2)(F)).
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Enhanced public health oversight: The bill mandates an annual nationwide survey to provide data on problem gambling and the creation of a surveillance system for gambling addiction (Section 201 and Section 204).
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Clearer information for bettors: Operators must provide clear and concise information regarding bonuses and the actual odds of winning a wager (Section 103(b)(6)(C)).
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Increased transparency and research: The Surgeon General is required to submit a report to Congress regarding the public health challenges associated with widespread sports betting (Section 203).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on specific types of bets: The bill prohibits proposition bets on any amateur athletic competition or intercollegiate sport (Section 103(b)(2)(D)).
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Limitations on betting timing: Operators are prohibited from accepting wagers on any sporting event once that event has commenced (Section 103(b)(2)(E)).
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Advertising restrictions: Advertisements for sports wagering operators may not be broadcasted between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm local time or during live broadcasts of sporting events (Section 103(b)(7)(C)).
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Restrictions on promotional offers: The Act prohibits advertisements from including "odds boosts" or using specific terms like "bonus" or "no sweat" (Section 103(b)(7)(D)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+5Increases Research Funding+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5Improves Government Transparency+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+6
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Business Owners-3
- 3/13/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.