The 300,000-member service union Unite Here has voiced its support for a U.S. Senate bill that would curb prediction markets. The stance came in a June 4 statement by union President Gwen Mills.
In her prepared remarks, Mills backed S. 4160, the Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act sponsored by Senators John Curtis of Utah, Adam Schiff of California, and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada.
“As the Senate considers cryptocurrency market structure legislation, this is an urgent moment to reaffirm congressional intent that gambling is governed by Tribal and state authorities.” The legislation to which Mills referred was the Clarity Act, currently before Congress.
Prediction markets, according to Mills, are threatening union jobs at both tribal and private-sector casinos. One-third of Unite Here members are casino employees, said Mills.
“Their livelihoods are now threatened by prediction markets conducting illegal sports betting in violation of Tribal sovereignty and state laws across the country,” she wrote. Mills called for the Senate to take speedy action to prevent event contracts being offered as sports bets and possible igaming.
“The lawful, Tribal, and state-regulated gaming industries have invested in creating good jobs in brick-and-mortar casinos and sportsbooks,” continued Mills, stressing the economic and employee benefits of the gaming industry. “Good casino jobs allow our members to buy their first homes, send their kids to college, and quit second jobs to spend more time with their families. We will not allow prediction markets to attack our jobs and turn back our progress,” she added.
