• About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

Virginia Sports Bettors’ Bill Of Rights Is A Good Start, But Needs Muscle

It's an admirable effort but much, namely enforcement, needs to be determined

Brett Smiley by Brett Smiley
July 21, 2020
in Regulation
(Shutterstock)

(Shutterstock)

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The U.S. sports betting market has seen a steady stream of firsts since May 2018 when the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on full-fledged sports wagering outside Nevada. The first wager placed in the First State (Delaware) in June 2018, the first mobile sportsbook to go live outside Nevada (DraftKings in New Jersey), the first state to pass a law permitting mobile sports betting only with no physical sportsbook component (Tennessee).Β 

Just to the east, Virginia somewhat quietly claimed another first — becoming the only state so far to codify a β€œSports Bettors’ Bill of Rights,” outlining requirements for licensed sportsbook operators regarding consumer complaint processes and consumer protection standards. Last week the Virginia Lottery, tasked with regulating legal sports betting in Virginia, released initial regulations that begin to bring to life the law’s requirement to β€œestablish a consumer protection program and publish a consumer protection bill of rights.”

While regulations in other states address some of these issues in some fashion, Virginia’s bill represents the most comprehensive and straightforward legislative effort to protect and empower the people who make the booming U.S. sports betting industry go: the sports bettors.Β 

Sports betting consumer protections

β€œ[The bill] contains several important consumer protections, including customers’ expectations for fairness, for integrity, for transparency in how the betting platforms operate,” said Lottery director Kevin Hall upon release of the regulations on July 15. β€œThe consumer protections also require permit holders to provide a credible dispute-resolution process, and also include a framework for creation of a voluntary self-exclusion program.”

That said, these regulations as written need a lot more meat on the bones, and for the sake of compliance and inspiring cooperation, a full set of teeth.Β 

β€œThe Bettors’ Bill of Rights is a great start for the future of Virginia,” said industry watchdog and educator ‘Captain Jack,’ who is one of the forces behind the American Bettors Coalition. β€œLetting the consumer know they have a voice in this process is a huge progressive step. I look forward to talking over this legislation with the American Bettors Coalition and I intend to submit comments to Virginia to help support and strengthen this initiative.”

Sign Up For The Sports Handle Newsletter!
I also want to receive information and offers about online sportsbooks (eg. odds boost, welcome offers)

Indeed, a noticeable voice missing from the scores of hearings on sports betting across the U.S. has been that of the sports bettor. ABC’s stated mission is to represent, communicate, protect, and educate the legal U.S. sports betting consumer. Legal sports betting markets have overall proved a success in many jurisdictions, but in many areas there remains substantial room for improvement to shore up consumer protections for a level playing field.Β 

Work on the Bill of Rights in Virginia began in 2018 with House of Delegates member Mark Sickles. Sickles’ bill eventually gave way to Senate Bill 384, and the language requiring the implementation of a Bill of Rights was incorporated into the final vehicle.Β 

But any set of requirements without associated punishments or penalties is as good as a wish list. That task of enforcement now falls on the regulators as the drive toward final regulations proceeds.

The advocacy group Sports Fans Coalition (SFC) helped craft and lobby for the five-item Bill of Rights that serves as the backbone of Virginia’s version. SFC was primarily interested in getting the Bill of Rights into the law, a task apparently made easier by deferring to regulators on enforcement measures.

“During my advocacy for this I did not want to get too prescriptive regarding enforcement,” said Brian Hess, Executive Director of SFC. β€œIt’s up to the regulators and lawmakers to figure out what the appropriate penalties are for each violation.”

“As the document was being drafted, our team drew from several sources and ultimately shaped it to best fit our program,” the Virginia Lottery said in a statement to Sports Handle. β€œWe will consider all input that we receive during the public-comment period in response to the drafts that have been published. Our goal with the Bill of Rights is to provide Virginians the same assurance of fair and responsible gaming they have come to expect from both our traditional and online lottery products.”

Comments incoming

Now that the first iteration of regulations is out, the comment period is open, and special interest groups are sure to object to or twist various lines to suit their interests.Β 

The Lottery will be hearing from a variety of stakeholders, from the pro leagues to sportsbook operators seeking licenses, to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), which is focused on the provisions concerning problem gambling, including the right to self exclude, which is an effective mechanism for enabling someone prone to addiction to cut himself off from sportsbooks. Other protections include giving a patron the option β€œto set pop-up warnings concerning excessive sports betting activity.”

β€œEnforcement absolutely needs to be refined or teased out,” said Brianne Doura, legislative director for the NCPG. β€œWe know that in the U.K., for instance, or in New Jersey, there are consequences to taking a bet from someone who’s on a self-exclusion list or violating any of these protections. Enforcement has to be a component of that.

β€œSportsbook operators have a responsibility and a role in this. And there’s no incentive to comply with these protections, without which I just don’t think we’re going to see the maximum benefit that the people of Virginia deserve. I think at the very minimum we need to be talking about enhanced training, a business commitment to problem and responsible gambling, but then also living it. And then if they’re not living up to it, well it’s time for everybody and the leadership team … to get enhanced training about why this is important.”

Going forward

A common complaint among bettors that goes unaddressed in this version of the Bill of Rights: it does not require sportsbooks to post the maximum allowed wagers on any one market. Sportsbooks may allow some bettors to place larger wagers (or much larger, or smaller) than others based on the bettor’s history (of success, or not) or perhaps based on the sportsbook’s exposure to certain outcomes based on action taken.Β 

β€œThe Sports Bettors’ Bill of Rights was an important policy initiative required in the legislation that allowed us, in our brand-new role as regulator of sports betting in the Commonwealth, to build on our already trusted foundation of integrity, transparency and consumer security,” the Lottery said.

With respect to all elements of this Bill of Rights, sportsbooks, bettors and regulators will need to find the middle ground for integrity, transparency and fairness.

In Virginia, this document is a starting point for finding that terrain, which does not yet fully exist in other states.Β 

Share18TweetShare
Brett Smiley

Brett Smiley

Brett Smiley is editor-in-chief and co-founder of Sports Handle, which joined forces with the US Bets team in November 2018. He focuses on the sports betting industry and legislation. He's a recreational sports bettor and DFS player himself, focusing on the NFL. In a past life, Smiley practiced commercial litigation in New York City and previously wrote for FOX Sports and SI.com. He lives in New Jersey with his family.

Related Posts

virginia seal
Industry

Strong March For Virginia Books As Handle Tops $500M For Fifth Time In Six Months

May 1, 2023
mclaurin commanders
Industry

Tentative Washington Commanders Sale Carries Vast Sports Betting Implications

April 14, 2023
Load More

Top Stories

colts logo

Source: ‘Pervasive’ Wagering From Colts Player Includes Bets On His Own Team

June 5, 2023
paspa ruling

From PASPA To Present: An Oral History Of The U.S. Sports Betting Gold Rush

May 11, 2023
inside-fanatics-sportsbook-fedex-field

Sources: Fanatics Enters Advanced Talks With PointsBet On Transformative U.S. Deal

May 12, 2023
new york times headquarters

The ‘Risky Wager’ Series From New York Times Was No Hit Piece β€” It’s Reality

May 31, 2023

State Sports Betting Guides

Ohio (U.S. state) flag waving against clear blue sky, close up, isolated with clipping path mask alpha channel transparency, perfect for film, news, composition

Ohio Sports Betting – All Online Sportsbooks, Bonus Offers, and News 2023

by Brian Pempus
May 16, 2023

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
May 2, 2023

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
April 24, 2023

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
March 22, 2023

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
May 3, 2023

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

SportsHandle

  • Analysis
  • Casino
  • Features
  • Horse Racing
  • Industry
  • Legal
  • Legislation
  • Lottery
  • Opinion
  • Podcasts
  • Poker
  • Politics
  • Promotions
  • Regulation
  • Sports
  • Uncategorized

Better Collective

This website is owned and operated by Better Collective USA. Trademarks and copyrights referenced on this website are and shall remain the exclusive property of their respective owners and/or licensors. Please be sure to visit the operator’s website(s) to review their terms & conditions. We advise you to read these carefully as they contain important information. Copyright Β© 2023 USBets.com | Better Collective USA
21 Play Responsibly
Gamble Aware West Virginia
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
GameSense

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News