Congresswoman Pours Cold Water On Federal Sports Betting Bill's Prospects An enthusiastic piece of legislation that aims to insert the federal government into oversight of legal sports wagering is already under fire from its critics and might face an uphill climb in an already divided Congress. New York Rep. Paul Tonko and Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal officially presented the winner Act recently, an expense that would put a blanket restriction on sports wagering across the U.S. unless licensed by the Department of Justice. The proposed legislation quickly drew pushback from the video gaming industry and one influential legislator, Nevada Rep. Dina Titus, who stated it was a "misguided approach" to attempt to pre-empt state regulators. Not so quick, my pal Titus' district includes part of Las Vegas, and she co-chairs the Congressional Gaming Caucus in Washington, D.C. Moreover, in spite of sharing Democratic Party subscription with Tonko and Blumenthal, and in spite of seeing their effort as well-intentioned, Titus is bearish about the SAFE Bet Act's prospects in the legislature, especially now, in the middle of the campaign season. "It's partially a messaging bill," Titus said Thursday during a gaming-focused event hosted by news outlet Semafor. "I don't see it passing, definitely not this session. Probably nothing's going to pass this session, however we don't want it to get a head of steam moving forward." Asked about the SAFE Bet Act sponsored by Rep. Paul Tonko, @repdinatitus informs @eschor: "I think that's much better to have self-regulation or state guideline, not to have the federal government get involved at this level." pic.twitter.com/3xvmgKxewp Titus sees a "stigma" connected to the gaming market - although it provides tasks and generates tax income - that makes it a target for lawmakers. Her choice is to keep the states in control of legal sports betting in the U.S.