U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy, is set to lead a significant hearing on sports betting and gaming integrity on May 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced this session to address the swift growth of the sports betting industry in the U.S. and its implications for the integrity of athletic competitions.

Since the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling that overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, the market has surged to an impressive $165 billion, with sports betting now legalized in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

The hearing will also delve into emerging concerns surrounding prediction markets, along with issues related to athlete performance manipulation and the misuse of insider information for betting advantages. These challenges have already impacted major leagues and events, such as the NBA, MLB, UFC, MLS, and NCAA.

Senator Blackburn has noted that recent scandals involving match-fixing have underscored significant threats to fair play. As such, the hearing aims to evaluate how betting platforms and new market entrants influence the credibility of competitions.

Blackburn emphasizes the necessity for lawmakers to gain a deeper insight into the operations of these platforms, establish stronger oversight, and implement measures to protect younger audiences from the growing influence of betting platforms. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz also highlighted that recent incidents have raised concerns about whether the existing safeguards are sufficient to maintain integrity in sports.

Scheduled witnesses for the hearing include Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, Mary Beth Thomas, executive director of the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council, Scott Sadin, co-founder and CEO of Integrity Compliance 360, and Patrick McHenry, senior adviser to The Coalition for Prediction Markets.

In related news, our previous article discussed Senator Elizabeth Warren’s investigation into credit card fees associated with sports betting platforms. It outlined how issuers can categorize wagers as cash advances, leading to steep and often surprising charges. This scrutiny has already led to a shift in much of the market away from credit-card-funded bets, highlighting the ongoing debate around transparency, consumer risk, and the fast-growing presence of sports betting and prediction markets.