Blumenthal Demands Sports-Betting Companies Clear Off College Campuses

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Ahead of a weekend of college football games and amid one of the busiest sports betting weeks of the year, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote Caesars Sportsbook & Casino today urging the company to “end its practice of targeting colleges and universities, discontinue any existing partnerships with schools, and abide by industry standards that prohibit marketing to college students.” Blumenthal also wrote the American Gaming Association (AGA), which has established standards that explicitly prohibit advertising sports wagering on college or university campuses as well as in college- or university-affiliated news assets.

Blumenthal’s letters follows increased reporting about the ways that sports betting companies are partnering with colleges and universities to target students with online gambling advertisements. For example, in 2021, after Louisiana State University signed a deal with Caesars, the university sent a campus-wide email encouraging students to “place your first bet (and earn your first bonus).” As Blumenthal noted in his letter to the AGA, “experts have said that it can be difficult for young people to recognize their inability to gamble responsibly, which could lead to serious mental and financial consequences.”

The letters to Caesars and the AGA are copied below.

November 25, 2022

Mr. Thomas R. Reeg

Chief Executive Officer

Caesars Entertainment

1 Caesars Palace Dr

Las Vegas, NV 89109

Dear Mr. Reeg

I write to express significant concerns regarding Caesars Sportsbook & Casino’s efforts to promote sports wagering on college campuses.[i] This potentially addictive activity, aimed at young people, some of whom are not of legal age to participate, is unconscionable. Young people should not be targeted by sports wagering advertisements and Caesars’ deliberate marketing towards college-aged students cannot continue. I urge your company end its practice of targeting colleges and universities, discontinue any existing partnerships with schools, and abide by industry standards that prohibit marketing to college students.

The American Gaming Association (AGA), which represents the U.S. Casino industry, set standards for traditional and digital marketing of sports wagering that specifically states, “Sports wagering should not be promoted or advertised in college or university-owned news assets (e.g., school newspapers, radio or television broadcasts, etc.) or advertised on college or university campuses.”[ii] These standards were developed to protect consumers and to ensure both AGA and non-AGA members were respecting the legal age for sports wagering and supporting responsible gaming.

It is part of your responsibility to enforce age-appropriate marketing, and that responsibility should not be subverted for profit. Increasing access to gambling platforms that “encourage people to bet frequently, even after they rack up losses”[iii], like Sportsbook often does, could have dire consequence for students’ mental and financial wellbeing. Most universities and college campuses already provide insufficient resources to support students’ mental health needs, including programs to treat gambling additions. Directly marketing to this population will undoubtedly create addict a new generation of people addicted gambling with nowhere for them to turn.

I call on you to end this disgraceful practice in order to protect students and prevent the irreparable harm that will be caused by Caesars’ marketing practices and college partnerships. Please respond by Friday, December 9, 2022 with your commitments to end this practice, discontinue college partnerships, and adhere to AGA industry standards into the future. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

November 25, 2022

Mr. Bill Miller

Chief Executive Officer

American Gaming Association

799 9^th St NW Ste 700

Washington, DC 20001

Dear Mr. Miller,

I write to today with grave concerns regarding Caesars Sportsbook & Casino’s efforts to promote sports wagering on college campuses.[iv] The company’s reported actions are a violation of the standards set forth by the American Gaming Association (AGA), which explicitly prohibit advertising sports wagering on college or university campuses as well as in college- or university-affiliated news assets (e.g., school newspapers, radio or television broadcasts, etc.)[v].

Since the Supreme Court cleared the way for states to legalize sports betting, gambling companies have taken advantage of opportunities to reach new consumers. Colleges and universities have become a primary target.[vi] Caesars and others have been extremely successful in closing lucrative deals with athletic departments at colleges and universities, with more companies sure to follow.

Experts have said that it can be difficult for young people to recognize their inability to gamble responsibly[vii], which could lead to serious mental and financial consequences. Universities have a responsibility to protect students, and the impact of the decisions made by athletic departments can have detrimental consequences to the entire campus community. Allowing gambling companies to continue enticing universities with partnership deals will sacrifice student health.

While I am encouraged by AGA’s initiative to set industry standards meant to ensure the casino industry and other affiliated entities respect the legal age for sports wagering and support responsible gaming, including on online platforms, it is critical that you safeguard consumers from members that violate this commitment. AGA has a responsibility for setting an example to everyone in the industry.

Given the devastating impact this practice can have on students, I request that you answer the following questions by December 9^th 2022:

1. What is AGA doing to ensure member compliance with the Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering?
2. What efforts, if any, is AGA undertaking to persuade non-AGA industry members to comply with the Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering? 
3. Please detail any communications between AGA and Caesars regarding Caesars’ partnership with Michigan State University and Louisiana State University.
4. Please detail any communications between AGA and PointsBet regarding PointsBet’s partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder.
5. Has any AGA member promoted or advertised sports wagering on university or college campuses or in university- or college-owned news assets? 
   1. If yes, please identify the member and any action taken by AGA to end the improper marketing.
6. Does AGA take any disciplinary or other remedial action when members violate the Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering?

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