Bill · S. 4115· Senate(119-S-4115)
BETS OFF Act
- Introduced
- 3/17/2026
- Last activity
- 3/17/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Christopher Murphy
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Banning Event Trading on Sensitive Operations and Federal Functions Act, also known as the BETS OFF Act, makes it illegal to place, accept, or facilitate wagers on specified events. These events include wars, assassinations, acts of terrorism, and certain government actions or events where the outcome is known in advance or controlled by one person. The bill allows the Attorney General to seek injunctive relief against violators. It also updates several existing U.S. codes regarding racketeering, illegal gambling businesses, internet gambling funding, and the Commodity Exchange Act to include these prohibitions.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
Increases federal oversight by authorizing the Attorney General to seek injunctive relief and amending federal racketeering laws.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+2
Protects users from rigged wagers where the outcome is known in advance or controlled by one person.
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?+2
Adds regulations for registered entities and internet gambling funding regarding event trading.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Restricts certain trading activities for registered entities under the Commodity Exchange Act.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Prevention of Gambling on Tragedies: By making it unlawful to wager on specified events such as acts of terrorism, assassinations, and wars, the bill stops the practice of betting on violent or sensitive events (Section 3(a) and Section 2(1)).
-
Protection from Rigged Wagers: The bill bans wagers on events where the outcome is under the complete control of any person or known by any person in advance, which could protect people from unfair or fraudulent bets (Section 2(1)(D)).
-
Preservation of Lawful Insurance: The bill explicitly excludes lawful insurance from its definition of a wager, ensuring that people can still maintain necessary coverage such as National Flood Insurance, Federal crop insurance, and the Terrorism Insurance Program (Section 2(2)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Legal Penalties for Wagers: Individuals who place, accept, or facilitate wagers on specified events will be committing an unlawful act and may face civil action for injunctive relief from the Attorney General (Section 3(a) and 3(b)).
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Increased Criminal Liability: Because the bill amends laws regarding racketeering enterprises and illegal gambling businesses, people involved in these wagers could face charges under updated federal laws (Section 4(a) and 4(b)).
-
Restrictions on Financial Trading: Entities registered under the Commodity Exchange Act are prohibited from making any agreement, contract, transaction, or swap involving specified events available for trading or clearing (Section 4(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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Big Tech Regulation+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+1Good For Business Owners-2
- 4/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/17/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 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.
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey