The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates of the more than $10 billion Americans wager on the 2018 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament, only 3 percent would be legally bet via Nevada sports books.
“Our current sports betting laws are so out of touch with reality that we’re turning tens of millions of Americans into criminals for the simple act of enjoying college basketball,” AGA President and CEO Geoff Freeman said. “The failed federal ban on sports betting has created an illegal, unregulated sports betting market that offers zero consumer protections and generates zero revenue for state and tribal governments.”
Officials said the U.S. Supreme Court would make a decision on New Jersey’s challenge to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) overreach in the coming months, potentially enabling an expansion of legalized sports betting.
The AGA noted 48 pieces of sports betting legislation are active in 18 states, as legislatures across the country prepare to take advantage of the opportunity.
On Dec. 4, 2017, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Christie v. NCAA, which challenges the constitutionality of PASPA while the AGA filed an amicus brief with the Court detailing the impacts of the failing federal sports betting ban. The brief highlighted the thriving $150 billion illegal sports betting market in America.
“As the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of PASPA, AGA is focused on working with all stakeholders to put the illegal market out of business and enable a safe, legal way for American consumers to participate in next year’s office pool without fear of prosecution,” Freeman said.