Washington, D.C. – American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Geoff Freeman released the following statement today following the Supreme Court’s decision to hear New Jersey’s challenge to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA)​, which bans sports betting outside Nevada:

“The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 has failed to protect sports and fans. PASPA, which is approaching its 25th anniversary, is fueling an unregulated $150 billion illegal gambling market that continues to deprive federal, state and local governments, as well as tribal sovereign governments, of vital public funding for services such as law enforcement and infrastructure.

We are pleased the Supreme Court appears to have responded favorably to our arguments as to why they should hear this important case. And we are hopeful their engagement will provide further encouragement for Congress to take the steps necessary to create a regulated sports betting marketplace in the United States. 

The gaming industry, and the American Sports Betting Coalition, is committed to working with all relevant stakeholders to build a system that protects the rights of states and tribal sovereign governments, as well as sports fans and the integrity of the games they love.” 

Background
In 2016, the AGA sent an Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court in support of New Jersey’s efforts to repeal PASPA.

Earlier in June, AGA launched the American Sports Betting Coalition (ASBC), a collection of a diverse group of stakeholders dedicated to ending the 25-year-old failing federal sports betting ban. The ASBC unites law enforcement, states rights’ advocates, state and local policymakers, tribal sovereign governments, and commercial and Indian gaming industry leaders.”

In April, the AGA outlined policy principles outlining the industry’s approach to legalized sports betting. The principles are intended to create clear guideposts as discussions with key policymakers, allies and interested parties become more granular.

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.