Tuesday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on federal oversight of sports betting notably excluded key industry representatives, raising concerns about the balanced representation of stakeholders.

The hearing, focused on the SAFE Bet Act, featured testimony from five witnesses, including NCAA President Charlie Baker and gambling counselors, but lacked input from sportsbook operators, state lawmakers, or gaming regulators.

Key provisions of the proposed SAFE Bet Act include:

• Ban on TV gambling ads between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
• Mandatory affordability checks for high-volume bettors
• Daily deposit limits
• Credit card ban
• Restrictions on AI-tailored promotions
• Prohibition of "risk-free" advertising language

Witness testimonies emphasized concerns about:

• Player prop betting risks
• Increased gambling-related harm
• Player dehumanization
• Public health implications

The American Gaming Association (AGA), typically involved in state gambling legislation and congressional hearings, was not invited to testify. AGA Senior VP Joe Maloney expressed concern about the exclusion, stating it left the committee without crucial testimony about legal gaming's role in consumer protection and responsible gaming initiatives.

The AGA opposes the SAFE Bet Act, viewing it as an overreach that undermines existing state regulatory frameworks and industry-led consumer protection measures.

This hearing highlighted the ongoing debate between federal oversight advocates and industry stakeholders regarding the most effective approach to regulating sports betting in America.

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