Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992

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Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was a United States federal law that effectively prohibited sports betting in most states. Enacted on October 28, 1992, PASPA aimed to preserve the integrity of sports by preventing the spread of sports gambling. The law made it illegal for states to authorize sports betting, with exceptions for a few states that already had existing sports betting laws in place.

Background

Prior to the enactment of PASPA, sports betting was largely unregulated in the United States, leading to concerns about match-fixing and corruption in sports. The law was introduced to address these issues and protect the integrity of professional and amateur sports leagues.

Provisions

PASPA prohibited states from authorizing or licensing sports betting activities. It granted exemptions to four states - Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana - that already had some form of sports betting in place. These states were allowed to continue offering limited sports betting options.

Impact

PASPA had a significant impact on the sports betting industry in the United States. It effectively limited legal sports betting to a few states, while driving the majority of sports betting underground or to offshore operators. The law also faced criticism for infringing on states' rights to regulate gambling within their borders.

Repeal

In May 2018, the United States Supreme Court struck down PASPA in the case of Murphy v. NCAA. The court ruled that PASPA was unconstitutional as it violated the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states. Following the repeal of PASPA, states have been free to legalize and regulate sports betting within their borders.

Legacy

The repeal of PASPA has led to a rapid expansion of legal sports betting in the United States. Many states have since passed legislation to allow sports betting, leading to a growing industry with significant economic implications. The debate over the regulation of sports betting continues, with ongoing discussions about consumer protection, integrity measures, and revenue sharing.