US sports betting is once again facing a challenge from the federal government, as US Senator Richard Blumenthal underscored the public health impacts of the widespread legalization of sports gambling in a hearing titled, “America’s High-Stakes Bet on Legalized Sports Gambling.”

As mobile sports bets surge, Blumenthal called for minimum federal standards like those in his Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet, or the SAFE Bet Act, to better protect consumers from addictive practices and features of both land based and online sports wagering platforms.

“We are in the midst of a sports betting boom that is one of the most severe public health problems today,” said Blumenthal. “It is the cause of addiction for millions of Americans with severe gambling problems. It is tearing apart families— literally divorces, abandonment.”

Earlier this year, Blumenthal introduced the SAFE Bet Act alongside Congressman Paul D. Tonko, which would require all US sports betting to meet minimum federal standards in the categories of advertising, affordability and Artificial Intelligence to create a safer, less addictive product.

Blumenthal is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the author of the Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment Act, which sets aside federal funds to help prevent, treat, and study gambling addiction in the United States.