Entertainment Odds: Is TikTok Getting Banned in the US?

Author ImageAuthor: | Last Updated: March 2024
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For weeks now, more than 170 million Americans have been wondering, is TikTok getting banned? The popular social media app has been the subject of a ton of controversy in recent years. Two weeks ago, the US House of Representatives passed a bill that would essentially ban the app in the US.

You can wager on entertainment odds online pertaining to the fate of the popular app. Keep reading to see the latest TikTok ban odds and my predictions for the upcoming Senate vote.

Is TikTok Getting Banned?

Americans of all ages have been wondering lately, is TikTok getting banned in the US? The House of Representatives passed HR-7521 on March 13th, which could prohibit the use of the app in the States.

What Is HR-7521?

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, better known as HR-7521, would not officially ban TikTok. However, it would force the owners of the app to sell it to a US-based company. If the owners do not sell, the app will be banned in the US.


TikTok is not based in China. However, it is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company subject to Chinese laws. The association with ByteDance is one of the reasons cited by proponents of HR-7521 for why TikTok needs to be sold or banned.

House of Representatives Passes TikTok Ban

Elected officials made fools of themselves when they interviewed TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in March 2023. The five-hour interview revealed that the seasoned members of Congress were confused about the app’s capabilities.

Despite the public backlash from that hearing, congress has moved forward with its attempts to ban the app. HR-7521 was introduced on March 5th of this year. Just over a week later, on March 13th, it was passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 352 to 65.

It is rare in modern politics for a bill to receive nearly unanimous support from both parties. HR-7521 has now been sent to the Senate, and millions of Americans are anxiously waiting to see if the popular video app will be banned.

Online Outrage Over Potential Ban

It did not take long for word of the House vote to cause outrage online. The app is extremely popular, so it is unsurprising that people are angry about a potential TikTok ban bill.

Many politicians have even used the app to connect with younger voters and build support. Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-NC), for instance, built a following of over 2.5 million users on the app. Despite saying he did not think the app would be banned, Jackson voted in favor of HR-7521.

TikTok Ban Odds

To become law, HR-7521 would need to pass through the Senate and then be signed by President Biden. Normally, that process could take a long time. However, since this bill had bipartisan support, it was able to move very quickly through the House and could move quickly through the Senate.

Here are the current TikTok ban odds at BetUS.

  • Yes (+185)
  • No (-280)

The deadline for this market is set for the end of April. So, HR-7521 would need to pass through the Senate by April 30th for the yes option to hit. The bet is for Congress to pass the bill, so President Biden would not need to sign the bill for this wager to hit.

Congress Will Pass a TikTok Ban by April 30th (+185)

The yes option for this wager is a moderate underdog at +185. It is clear that Congress wants to pass this bill, otherwise it would not have had such overwhelming support in the House.


HR-7521 was fast-tracked through the House, but the public outcry over the bill has slowed it down in the Senate so far. According to multiple reports, the Senate will take its time to decide the fate of the bill.

Still, Senators have not been shy about voicing their support for the bill. If it was not an election year, the Senate may have already passed it despite the public’s disapproval.

The quick vote and bipartisan support of the bill in the House can also put pressure on the Senate. Congressmen and women on both sides of the aisle will pressure their colleagues to vote on the bill quickly.

Congress Will Not Pass a TikTok Ban by April 30th (-280)

The favorite in this betting market is for Congress not to pass a TikTok ban by the April 30th deadline. It is listed at -280 in the latest TikTok ban bill odds.

Part of the reason this is the favorite is the deadline BetUS has put on the market. Even if Congress does not pass a bill before April 30th, they could easily pick the issue back up after the elections this fall.

Rushing to pass the bill now would be a huge blow to the young voter bases on both sides. Democrats rely more on the youth vote. A TikTok ban could make Trump an even bigger favorite since it would cost Biden key support.

HR-7521 is also not an outright ban on TikTok. The company would have a set amount of time to sell before the app is banned. The six-month time frame to sell would exceed the April 30th deadline.

Is Biden Banning TikTok?

There are two potential obstacles that could prevent HR-7521 from becoming law by April 30th. First and foremost, it could get bogged down in the Senate. Second, President Biden could change his mind and decide not to sign the bill banning TikTok into law.

Why Is TikTok Getting Banned?

The argument for banning TikTok is simple. Many members of Congress have expressed concerns over the app potentially being a weapon for the Chinese Government. Specifically, Congress is concerned about Americans being influenced to be more sympathetic to the Chinese government.


There have also been claims that TikTok is stealing users’ data and using its algorithm to try to influence the upcoming election. If true, these claims would be reasonable arguments for banning the app.

However, other popular apps, such as Facebook, have done similar things in the past. There is even evidence that the Russian government used Facebook to influence the outcome of the 2016 election. The scheme allegedly also included similar efforts on Twitter.

When Will the Senate Vote on the TikTok Ban?

The 100 Senate members have until the end of this congressional session to decide on the bill. However, nothing says that the Senate has to vote on HR-7521.

In theory, the bill could die in the Senate if there is no vote before the end of the session. The Senate could also vote against the bill, effectively killing it before for the foreseeable future. Either option would result in the “no” option for this TikTok ban betting market.

However, the Senate will likely only be able to hold off on voting on the bill for so long. Pressure from proponents of the bill in both the House and the Senate will increase with each passing day. There is no guarantee when it will happen, but I think the Senate will vote on HR-7521 this year.

Will Biden Sign the TikTok Ban?

Biden’s approval rating is historically low due in large part to his struggles with delivering on campaign promises. His low approval rating is one reason he is an underdog to win re-election this fall. It is also a driving force behind rumors that Biden may step down before the election in November.

Despite his struggles building support for his re-election campaign, Biden has said he will sign the TikTok ban bill if it passes through Congress. If he does, that could be the final nail in the proverbial coffin of his 2024 campaign.

Is TikTok Getting Banned in the US?

Hr-7521 would not outright ban TikTok, but it could ban the app if it is not sold in six months after the bill becomes law. Roughly 177 million Americans use the app, but that is just a fraction of the over one billion users worldwide.


With that in mind, it is unlikely that the owners of TikTok would sell the app just to avoid losing out on US customers. So, if HR-7521 is signed into law, the clock will start running for TikTok.

I believe Congress will eventually pass a TikTok ban, but not this year. Waiting until next year, a non-election year, would be the safer bet for many senators and even President Biden.

Prediction: Congress Will Not Pass a TikTok Ban by April 30th (-280)

Do You Think TikTok Will Be Banned?

Is TikTok getting banned this year? Hundreds of members of the House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill that would effectively ban the popular app in the US.

Check out the blog above to learn more about HR-7521 and how it could ban TikTok in the US. I also break down the latest odds on a TikTok ban bill being passed before the end of April. Then, head over to Bovada Sportsbook to see the latest odds of this political betting market.

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About the Author
Shaun Stack Editor

Shaun Stack is a senior writer at GamblingSites.org. His gambling articles have appeared in the Daily Herald, Space Coast Daily, and NJ 101.5. He’s a football betting expert, a Survivor fan, and a skilled blackjack gambler. Shaun is a native of Kansas City but now lives in Pennsylvania and follows the Pittsburgh Steelers religiously.

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