Washington, DC – Friday marks the 24th anniversary of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) that has driven billions of dollars in illegal bets since 1992. Today, the American Gaming Association (AGA) is releasing a list of the 24 reasons the federal ban should be overturned.

“Americans have shown an overwhelming desire to bet on sports,” said Sara Rayme, AGA’s senior vice president of public affairs. “The federal ban on sports betting has failed and AGA will continue to engage in thoughtful discussions with key stakeholders on how best to address this outdated law.”

AGA’s list of the 24 reasons PASPA should be overturned is led by the $150 billion illegal sports betting market that grew by $10 billion from 2014 to 2015. Other highlights include:

1. Since PASPA’s inception, trillions of dollars have been wagered illegally on sports.
2. Annually, PASPA has created a $150B illegal sports betting market.
3. Of the $4.2 billion wagered on Super Bowl 50, nearly 97 percent was bet illegally.
4. Money from the illegal sports betting market often fund other forms of illicit crime.
5. Sports betting in the United Kingdom has become commonplace and is done in a legal regulated market.
6. The thriving illegal market and lack of regulation create an atmosphere ripe for manipulation.
7. The crime of illegal sports betting has brought together the law enforcement community to discuss ways to combat illegal sports betting.
8. Leaders in law enforcement recommended that PASPA’s repeal would be an effective way to combat illegal sports betting.
9. A record amount was wagered legally on Super Bowl 50 in Nevada.
10. Even President Obama joined the 47 million Americans who’ve bet on the Super Bowl.
11. For the first time in 16 years, Nevada sports books accepted bets on the Rio Olympics.
12. State governments would stand to benefit from additional tax revenue that would come from legalized, regulated sports betting.
13. Tax revenue from legalized, regulated sports betting could go to fund local communities, such as teacher salaries and infrastructure projects.
14. Research shows that betting drives massive ratings for NFL games.
15. Millions more viewers would bet on games if sports betting were legalized.
16. Research shows that engagement with March Madness bracket sites drives viewership in the early rounds of the tournament.
17. Sports bettors are highly valuable to advertisers, as they watch more TV programming for longer periods of time than non-bettors.
18. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wrote in a New York Times op-ed that he favors legalized, regulated sports betting.
19. NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern said that he favors legal sports betting.
20. In a sign that sports leagues and casinos can coexist, more than 80% of NFL teams play their home games within a one-hour drive of a casino.
21. The NHL is expanding to Las Vegas, showing that pro sports leagues are increasingly comfortable with legal, regulated sports betting.
22. Showing how sports betting and professional sports can coexist in a safe, regulated marketplace, Nevada’s legislature approved funding of a new stadium in Las Vegas.
23. Legalized, regulated sports betting strengthens the integrity of games. 
24. 80% of Super Bowl viewers say it’s time to change sports betting law.

For more information, visit SportsBettingInAmerica.com.

About AGA: The American Gaming Association is the premier national trade group representing the $240 billion U.S. casino industry, which supports 1.7 million jobs in 40 states. AGA members include commercial and tribal casino operators, suppliers and other entities affiliated with the gaming industry. It is the mission of the AGA to be the single most effective champion of the industry, relentlessly protecting against harmful and often misinformed public policies, and paving a path for growth, innovation and reinvestment.