BETS OFF Act
Sponsored By: Senator Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced
Summary
Prohibits wagering on terrorism, assassinations, wars, and other non-financial events that are government-controlled or known in advance. This bill would add that ban into several federal criminal and financial laws to stop betting markets tied to sensitive events.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Ban on event-based derivatives trading
This bill would fold the wagering ban into several federal laws, including racketeering, illegal gambling, and unlawful internet gambling rules. It would also bar registered exchanges and clearinghouses from listing, clearing, or offering contracts, swaps, or indexes tied to those specified events. These changes would expand enforcement reach and stop regulated markets from offering event-based derivatives. The changes would take effect 30 days after enactment if the bill becomes law.
Ban on betting sensitive events
This bill would make it unlawful to place, accept, or facilitate wagers on certain "specified events." Specified events would include terrorism, assassination, war, and other mainly non-financial events tied to government action, outcomes controlled by a person, or outcomes known in advance. The bill would define "wager" but exclude ordinary insurance and certain federal insurance programs like the Terrorism Insurance Program, the National Flood Insurance Program, and federal crop insurance. The Attorney General would be able to sue for injunctions in federal court to stop violations. These rules would take effect 30 days after enactment if the bill is passed.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Cosponsors
John Hickenlooper
CO • D
Sponsored 3/17/2026
Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov