Trump Stands Behind Sports Betting Ban

When President Trump was elected to office, it seemed like half of America descended into a collective freakout. But while much of media was sent into a tailspin, one industry that had seen some optimistic hints in the Trump agenda was online gambling. Heavily restricted in the US in recent years, there had been some suggestion that a Trump Presidency could spell the end of these draconian practices, and spell the dawn of a new era for online gambling in the USA.

There was good reason to believe this might have been the case. Trump himself is no stranger to the gambling sector, as his multiple casinos in Atlantic City would testify. He even has commercial interests in online poker, as part of a joint venture business poised to take advantage of loosening laws, either at state or federal level, depending on what comes first. It’s not too much of a stretch to surmise that Trump is pro-gambling, or at least has no personal qualms about the industry.

This was backed up by high profile support from several notable casino entrepreneurs. But with little action either way since he assumed office, there has been very little indication of how his tenure might pan out for operators looking to set up or expand within the US market.

Today brings one such indication, and it’s not going the way many in the industry had expected. The Trump administration has this week clashed with the American Gaming Association, by siding with the country’s professional sports leagues in supporting the current laws, which ban sports betting online in every state except Nevada.

The news has come as a shock to many within the industry, given Trump’s previous vocal support for legal sports betting. Those who had hoped for a relaxation of the laws under Trump will have to wait a little longer, according to reports in local media.

The stance reflects an unfolding case in front of the Supreme Court over sports betting in New Jersey, and is widely expected to confirm the position of the law as it currently stands. However, this will uphold a position that the statistics show is unpopular with citizens.

A study published in the Washington Post found that a majority of US citizens approved of a more liberal approach to gambling laws, with 55% in favour of legal sports betting, to 33% who remain opposed to any change in the law.

New Jersey in particular has been keen to push for a more liberal interpretation of current restrictions, with state Governor Chris Christie in particular a vocal support of sports betting. The state’s flagging offline gambling industry has led to a marked decline in revenues – money that the state desperately needs at its disposal.

Yet at the same time, an estimated $150 billion is already being wagered on sports in the US, although this is strictly illegal by law. Christie’s argument is that New Jersey may as well have its slice of that pie.

The people are in favour, state Governors are in favour, a pre-presidential Donald Trump is in favour – yet there’s still no sign of a maturing of gambling laws in the US.

Most commentators agree this is an unsustainable position that will be reversed in time. But state administrations want the money now, and by bringing this sports betting activity into the light, they have the instant ability to generate much-needed revenue for local services.

While many had had high hopes about Trump and his own personal views on how gambling should be regulated, it looks like he is yet to win over his administration, and perhaps the Republican party more generally, towards modernising the laws that restrict sports betting.