The sports betting category has become a very lucrative one for the radio industry. In New York, Congressman Paul Tonko has introduced the Betting On Our Future Act that would ban all online and electronic advertising of sports gambling. The NY State Broadcasters Association opposes the legislation.
NYSBA believes a ban on sports wagering advertising prevents all responsible adults from receiving information about a legal product in New York, raising significant constitutional issues. The Association believes there are more effective options available to address issues concerning problem gambling and protecting children.
“We oppose legislation that bans both mobile sports and casino sportsbook advertising in the United States. Advertising is essential to educate consumers in this highly competitive market,” said David Donovan, President of the New York State Broadcasters Association. “The tax revenue generated by sports betting has helped to finance essential government services for citizens throughout New York State. It has stimulated local economies in areas lacking job opportunities. Advertising revenue from these ads helps broadcast stations meet the needs of their communities by financing local news and public affairs programs.”
According to Congressman Tonko, “The excessive, uncensored promotion of these sites needs to be put in check. My legislation puts a halt to this dangerous practice and sends a powerful message to the online sports betting advertisers. Congress must take the necessary steps to reel in an industry with the power to inflict real, widespread harm on the American people.”
The legislation is modeled after the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, which banned tobacco advertisements. The Betting On Our Future Act focuses on what the congressman believes are harmful and pervasive online sports betting advertisements by prohibiting advertising of sportsbooks on any medium of electronic communication subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission.
The full text of the legislation can be viewed Here.
I am really sick of the barrage of sports betting ads that I get whenever I watch or listen to a sporting event on television or radio. Perhaps a good PSA would be, “Honey, I pi–ed away the rent money”. Yes, people always gambled illegally on sporting events but at least radio and television didn’t shove the bookie joints into our faces as they do now with the legal sites.
Is this Congressperson also proposing to ban lottery advertising? The odds of winning the lottery are much more daunting than winning on sports betting and betting on the lottery is probably more addictive than sports gambling.
People were betting tons of money on sports even before it was legal. This attempt to limit freedom will yield nothing other than a huge loss of advertising revenue for radio, leading to the loss of jobs and quality content.
The newspaper industry LOVES this proposed legislation.
When the federally legislated cigarette advertising ban went into effect the day after the 1972 Super Bowl the Mutual Broadcasting Sustem planned to “air” adds and challenge the law in court. Unfortunately the broadcast industry got “cold feet” at the last minute. The rest is history!
There is no newspaper industry anymore.