Federal Sports Betting Regulation Could Be on the Horizon in the U.S.

^{Pictured: senator Richard Durbin}

A federal law regulating sports betting may be introduced in the U.S., according to a report by Seattle Times. The topic was the focus of a two-hour hearing held by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Richard Durbin, chair of the Judiciary Committee, stated, “Sports betting had become a public health issue since a Supreme Court decision in 2018 overturned a federal law that had effectively banned the practice outside Nevada.” 

The Supreme Court’s 2018 decision marked a turning point for the gambling industry, repealing a federal ban on sports betting and paving the way for legalization across states.

Currently, sports betting is legal in 38 U.S. states, with Missouri set to join the list in 2025. “I think there is a feeling on both sides of the table that we need to address this,” Durbin added.

Data from the American Gaming Association shows that in the third quarter of 2025, Americans wagered over $30 billion on sports through legal avenues. However, the National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that 2.5 million Americans face gambling addiction issues.