Major sports leagues are facing challenges in the changing landscape of legal sports betting. Concerns about player temptations have led to increased scrutiny on the issue. One professional league is urging the federal government to intervene in order to address these concerns.
The NBA’s Deputy Commissioner and COO Mark Tatum recently spoke in a video call with reporters, advocating for federal action on the matter. The NBA has already taken action against player Jontay Porter for life for betting on games, and other major leagues such as baseball and football have had to do the same.
The call for federal intervention comes amidst a patchwork of state regulations in the 38 states, as well as Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, that have legalized sports betting. A national oversight could provide a standardized approach to this issue.
One notable benefit of federal regulation could be the mandate to use official league data, creating a potentially lucrative new revenue stream for the leagues. By establishing a common framework for sports betting, federal oversight could provide clarity and consistency in the industry.