The American Gaming Association continued its campaign to appeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the 1992 law banning sports betting, by marking the 24th anniversary of the act with a list of 24 reasons the law should be overturned.
“Americans have shown an overwhelming desire to bet on sports,” said Sara Rayme, AGA’s senior vice president of public affairs. “The federal ban on sports betting has failed, and AGA will continue to engage in thoughtful discussions with key stakeholders on how best to address this outdated law.”
AGA’s list of the 24 reasons PASPA should be overturned is led by the $150 billion illegal sports betting market that grew by $10 billion from 2014 to 2015. Other highlights:
Massive Illegal Sports Betting Market
“Since PASPA’s inception, trillions of dollars have been wagered illegally on sports,” wrote the AGA in a statement. “Annually, PASPA has created a $150B illegal sports betting market. Of the $4.2 billion wagered on Super Bowl 50, nearly 97 percent was bet illegally. Money from the illegal sports betting market often fund other forms of illicit crime.
“Sports betting in the United Kingdom has become commonplace and is done in a legal regulated market. The thriving illegal market and lack of regulation create an atmosphere ripe for manipulation.”
Law Enforcement Leaders Say: Repeal PASPA
“The crime of illegal sports betting has brought together the law enforcement community to discuss ways to combat illegal sports betting. Leaders in law enforcement recommended that PASPA’s repeal would be an effective way to combat illegal sports betting.”
Sports Betting is Already Popular
“A record amount was wagered legally on Super Bowl 50 in Nevada. Even President Obama joined the 47 million Americans who’ve bet on the Super Bowl. For the first time in 16 years, Nevada sports books accepted bets on the Rio Olympics.”
Many Stakeholders Would Stand to Benefit from Legalized, Regulated Sports Betting
“State governments would stand to benefit from additional tax revenue that would come from legalized, regulated sports betting.Tax revenue from legalized, regulated sports betting could go to fund local communities, such as teacher salaries and infrastructure projects.Research shows that betting drives massive ratings for NFL games. Millions more viewers would bet on games if sports betting were legalized.
“Research shows that engagement with March Madness bracket sites drives viewership in the early rounds of the tournament.Sports bettors are highly valuable to advertisers, as they watch more TV programming for longer periods of time than non-bettors.”
Sports Leaders are Already Saying: Legalize, Regulate Sports Betting
“NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wrote in a New York Times op-ed that he favors legalized, regulated sports betting. NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern said that he favors legal sports betting.”
The Momentum is On the Side of Legalized, Regulated Sports Betting
“In a sign that sports leagues and casinos can coexist, more than 80 percent of NFL teams play their home games within a one-hour drive of a casino. The NHL is expanding to Las Vegas, showing that pro sports leagues are increasingly comfortable with legal, regulated sports betting. Showing how sports betting and professional sports can coexist in a safe, regulated marketplace, Nevada’s legislature approved funding of a new stadium in Las Vegas. Legalized, regulated sports betting strengthens the integrity of games. Eighty percent of Super Bowl viewers say it’s time to change sports betting law.”
AGA’s effort comes on the heels of a new poll from Farleigh Dickinson University that found nearly half of Americans approve the legalization of sports betting, with only 39 percent opposed.
