NY Times: Senator Blumenthal Letter to Colleges and Universities about sports betting companies

Parents Forum Parent Cafe
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Iā€™m not able to read the letter, but I hope he tore them a new one. I am shocked that colleges are partnering with sports betting companies, and I donā€™t think itā€™s okay.

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Does this work?
https://www.ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– /documents/23318788-sen-blumenthal-writes-to-the-aga-about-sports-betting-promotion-on-campus-nov-25-2022

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November 25, 2022
Mr. Bill Miller
Chief Executive Officer
American Gaming Association
799 9th St NW Ste 700
Washington, DC 20001
Dear Mr. Miller,
I write to today with grave concerns regarding Caesars Sportsbook & Casinoā€™s efforts to promote sports wagering on college campuses.i The companyā€™s reported actions are a violation of the standards set forth by the American Gaming Association (AGA), which explicitly prohibit advertising sports wagering on college or university campuses as well as in college- or university-affiliated news assets (e.g., school newspapers, radio or television broadcasts, etc.)ii.
Since the Supreme Court cleared the way for states to legalize sports betting, gambling companies have taken advantage of opportunities to reach new consumers. Colleges and universities have become a primary target.iii Caesars and others have been extremely successful in closing lucrative deals with athletic departments at colleges and universities, with more companies sure to follow.
Experts have said that it can be difficult for young people to recognize their inability to gamble responsiblyiv, which could lead to serious mental and financial consequences. Universities have a responsibility to protect students, and the impact of the decisions made by athletic departments can have detrimental consequences to the entire campus community. Allowing gambling companies to continue enticing universities with partnership deals will sacrifice student health.
While I am encouraged by AGAā€™s initiative to set industry standards meant to ensure the casino industry and other affiliated entities respect the legal age for sports wagering and support responsible gaming, including on online platforms, it is critical that you safeguard consumers from members that violate this commitment. AGA has a responsibility for setting an example to everyone in the industry.
Given the devastating impact this practice can have on students, I request that you answer the following questions by December 9th 2022:

  1. What is AGA doing to ensure member compliance with the Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering?
  2. What efforts, if any, is AGA undertaking to persuade non-AGA industry members to comply with the Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering?
  3. Please detail any communications between AGA and Caesars regarding Caesarsā€™ partnership with Michigan State University and Louisiana State University.
  4. Please detail any communications between AGA and PointsBet regarding PointsBetā€™s partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder.
  5. Has any AGA member promoted or advertised sports wagering on university or college campuses or in university- or college-owned news assets?
    a. If yes, please identify the member and any action taken by AGA to end the improper marketing.
  6. Does AGA take any disciplinary or other remedial action when members violate the Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering?
    Sincerely,
    Richard Blumenthal
    United States Senate
    i Anna Betts Et al., ā€œHow College and Sports-Betting Companies ā€˜Caesarizedā€™ Campus Life,ā€ N.Y. TIMES (Nov. 21, 2022), https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/20/business/caesars-sports-betting-universities-colleges.html
    ii ā€œResponsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering,ā€ AMERICAN GAMING ASSOCIATION (Jun 21, 2022), Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering - American Gaming Association
    iii Anna Betts Et al., ā€œHow College and Sports-Betting Companies ā€˜Caesarizedā€™ Campus Life,ā€ N.Y. TIMES (Nov. 21, 2022), https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/20/business/caesars-sports-betting-universities-colleges.html
    iv Anna Betts Et al., ā€œHow College and Sports-Betting Companies ā€˜Caesarizedā€™ Campus Life,ā€ N.Y. TIMES (Nov. 21, 2022), https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/20/business/caesars-sports-betting-universities-colleges.html
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I see that they were asked to respond three months ago. Did he get a response?

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I wish someone would post a gift link to the NY Times story.

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Iā€™ll keep looking for the story online. I canā€™t access it yet, but I can usually find a place to see it after a day or two. Or maybe I will stop by the library. Iā€™m interested in the topic, because I canā€™t believe the non stop commercials for gambling. Itā€™s going to cause another crisis for vulnerable people.

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Gift link:

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Thanks. It will be interesting to read the responses ā€¦ assuming there eventually are responses.

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Our local news station had a segment on the following story.

As a parent I was concerned about certain things when my kids were leaving for college. We had talks about drinking, sex, credit card use, etc. But this story reminded me of another concern parents should be talking about with their kidsā€¦.gambling/betting. I donā€™t know anyone who has a gambling problem, but I feel awareness is important.

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I live near Penn Stateā€™s main campus, and not that they could do anything about it but our largely defunct mall is about to have about 1/3 of it turned into a state-licensed casino. All community attempts to halt it have failed (the backers who won the casino license are wealthy PSU alum). Not looking forward to combining a casino with 44k college studentsā€¦