A U.S. Congressman is reportedly aiming for federal regulation of controversial sports betting markets.
Key Takeaways
- Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz wants to "heavily regulate” props.
- The Congressman says NBA and MLB scandals show a "need” for federal involvement.
- Schatz wants to end markets that can be manipulated by a "single bad actor.”
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) told journalist Pablo Torre that he will "heavily regulate prop bets” by introducing new legislation in 2026. Torre, who reported Schatz’s proposal on X, included illegal offshore sportsbooks in the regulation.
Schatz’s pursuit comes on the heels of betting scandals involving multiple NBA and Major League Baseball players, who manipulated game performance to profit from sports wagering.
"In just a few years, sports betting has grown into a billion-dollar industry, changing the way fans engage with sports, while providing new revenue streams for leagues,” Schatz said in a statement provided to the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast.
"But when every in-game moment and outcome can be wagered on, it creates real risks. Integrity is essential to competitive sport, and recent allegations about gambling in the NBA and MLB have made it clear we need federal protections. We’re working on legislation to stop the kind of prop betting that gives a single bad actor the ability to manipulate a specific, singular outcome for a big payout. This is about protecting fans and restoring public trust in sports,” the statement added.
- https://www.covers.com/industry/us-congressman-reportedly-pushes-for-federal-prop-betting-regulation-dec-23-2025