Casino industry lobbyists are betting that President-elect Donald Trump’s history as a casino magnate and opportunistic businessman is the key to reversing the decades-old federal ban on sports betting.
Wagering on sports has effectively been illegal since 1992, when the federal government passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PAPSA. At present, only four states – Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana – are allowed to offer sports betting.
The case for a legalized sports betting industry subject to taxation and federal or state regulation has strengthened in recent years, due in large part to public support from prominent figures like NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Advocates are calling for Trump, with his background as a casino owner in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, to add his voice to the debate.
