It looks like Pablo Torre found out something that could have a major impact on sports betting in the new year.
The host of the popular podcast “Pablo Torre Finds Out” posted a video on social media saying that U.S. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii plans to introduce legislation in 2026 to limit sports betting.
Schatz cited the recent betting scandals that have hit sports leagues over the past few months as the reason for the federal government to step in and enact legislation to limit prop bets.
“When every in-game moment and outcome can be wagered on, it creates real risks,” the senator stated. “Integrity is essential to competitive sport, and recent allegations about gambling in the NBA and MLB have made it clear we need federal protections.”
He added, “We’re working on legislations to stop the kind of prop betting that gives a single bad actor the ability to manipulate a specific, singular outcome for a big payout.”
MLB and various major U.S. sportsbooks recently limited pitch-level prop bets to $200 in an attempt to address the recent scandal involving now-banned pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the NBA is seeking to put limits on prop bets as well, including lowering maximum bet amounts on player props, limits on Under bets and getting rid of bets on individual plays or actions.
There was no indication that the this proposed bill would also include prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, which allow users to buy and sell on events like the stock market and is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
