US Lawmakers Resume Push for Federal Safe Gambling Bill

Hoping to address the risks associated with legal sports betting, US Rep. Paul Tonko and Sen. Richard Blumenthal have reintroduced the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet Act (SAFE Bet Act). During an 11 March press conference, the lawmakers highlighted the bill’s merits as a crucial step towards federal regulation of the thriving online gaming market.

The Proposed Legislation Envisions Sweeping Reforms

Originally introduced in September 2024, the SAFE Bet Act aims to establish national standards for advertising, consumer protection, and reasonable gambling policies. Although 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting as of 2025, lawmakers argue that US consumers still lack sufficient safeguards to mitigate public health issues.

Rep. Tonko emphasized the necessity for federal action, stating that predatory practices and addictive gaming elements continue to hurt consumers, especially young people, despite state-level legalization and regulation. Sen. Blumenthal echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the necessity for a nationwide safe gambling framework to address some of the sector’s more pressing challenges.

The new bill seeks to impose strict regulations on TV gambling advertisements by overseeing their messaging strategies and limiting air times. Mirroring similar legislation in the UK, the 2025 SAFE Bet Act also envisions affordability checks to protect people from spending more than they can afford and advocates for establishing a national self-exclusion register.

Industry Stakeholders Previously Opposed the Idea

The SAFE Bet Act enjoys broad support from public health specialists, including the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) at Northeastern University School of Law. Dr. Harry Levant, director of gambling policy at PHAI, described the rapid expansion of the gambling industry as “unprecedented” and likened its negative societal impact to the likes of tobacco companies in the past.

The 2025 SAFE Bet Act protects the public by replacing the ethically flawed “responsible gaming” model with comprehensive public health solutions.

Dr. Harry Levant, PHAI director of gambling policy 

Despite support from advocacy groups, the SAFE Bet Act previously faced pushback from industry stakeholders, including the American Gaming Association (AGA). In 2024, when the bill was first introduced, AGA strongly opposed federal intervention, arguing that legal sports betting has been instrumental in steering consumers away from unregulated black-market suppliers.

The fight for responsible gambling laws has also moved to the courts. PHAI and the Center for Public Health Litigation are fighting a class-action lawsuit against DraftKings in Massachusetts, claiming the company had practiced predatory gambling. As the 2025 legislative session unfolds, lawmakers will seek bipartisan support to move the SAFE Bet Act forward.