Summary
Congress is considering federal regulation of sports betting amid rising gambling addiction and public health impacts since its 2018 legalization in 38 states.
Witnesses, including NCAA president Charlie Baker, warned of addiction risks for young people and insufficient state funding for treatment.
Some lawmakers support federal oversight, proposing bills like the SafeBet Act.
The gambling industry opposes federal rules, claiming states regulate better, but critics warn continued resistance could lead to stricter controls like tobacco laws.
This is a good a time as any to mention that a billionaire developer is threatening to bulldoze the heart of Coney Island to build a massive casino. There’s more info here, none of the local papers wanna cover it 🙃
Coney houses the last remaining permanently housed circus sideshow and a museum that seeks to preserve all the local history. If that’s gone then that’s it. We also have Atlantic City around the corner.