AGA CEO Questions Federal Oversight in Sports Betting Industry

The American Gaming Association (AGA) is pushing back against potential federal oversight of the sports betting industry. AGA President and CEO Bill Miller voiced concerns during the NEXT sports betting and iGaming summit in New York, arguing that state regulators have effectively managed the industry for decades.

Miller acknowledged that some policies under the second Trump administration align with AGA’s interests, including no tax on tips, deregulation efforts, and positioning the U.S. as a leader in cryptocurrency. However, he warned that federal intervention in gaming could disrupt a system that has functioned well at the state level.

The discussion comes as the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission considers a role in overseeing sports betting, similar to its regulation of commodities like pork bellies and orange juice futures. Miller questioned whether shifting sports wagering under such a framework made sense. “The notion that some semi-autonomous, semi-independent agency should now all of a sudden be the new place where sports betting takes place … seems not necessarily in line with making America the crypto capital of the world,” he said.

Miller also pointed to broader government changes, including efforts led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to cut federal spending. He suggested that many industries are reassessing their positions in response to these shifts.

Despite concerns about federal oversight, Miller acknowledged that Washington has a role in certain areas. He highlighted state regulators’ success in cracking down on offshore betting sites, citing cease-and-desist letters sent to Bovada and a similar request targeting Kalshi from Nevada regulators.

“We can, and have shown, that we can be successful in making it harder for people that are unlicensed to do business,” Miller said. He emphasized that licensed operators go through extensive regulatory processes, and unlicensed entities should be held to the same standard.