Bipartisan bills to propose safer gambling measures in Pennsylvania
A trio of legislative proposals would introduce deposit and marketing rules and ban credit card gambling in Pennsylvania.
US.- Two Pennsylvania house representatives are preparing to put forward a set of bills intended to tackle problem gambling and bolster consumer protections in what is one of the largest regulated online gambling jurisdictions in the US. The Democrat Tarik Khan of Philadelphia and Republican Jamie Flick, who represents Lycoming and Union counties, intend to present gambling addiction as a public health challenge amid the growth of online wagering in the state.
The package will propose tighter rules on marketing, a ban on credit card deposits for online casino and sports betting and stronger safeguards for individuals who have signed up to the state’s self‑exclusion list. The lawmakers emphasised that the measures aim to strike a balance between protecting consumers and supporting Pennsylvania’s regulated gaming sector.
First up, the Pennsylvania Online Consumer Protection Act would limit the number of deposits players can make to gambling accounts within a 24‑hour period. It would also restrict marketing tactics such as push notifications and text messages prompting users to make bets while also tightening rules around advertising directed at young audiences. Meanwhile, additional funding would be directed towards prevention, education, treatment and responsible gaming programmes.
Khan and Flick warned that the availability of gambling via smartphones, tablets, and computers was increasing risks for vulnerable groups. They also cited research that suggested a disproportionate share of gambling revenue comes from individuals experiencing gambling‑related harm. In a co-sponsorship memo, they wrote: “Problem gambling is increasingly recognised as a public health issue because of the significant harm it can cause to mental health, financial security and family stability.”
Self-exclusion and credit card gambling in Pennsylvania
A second measure would bar the use of credit cards to fund online gambling accounts. This proposal would provide a house companion to Senate Bill 265 and is intended to reduce gambling‑related debt. Although currently legal credit card deposits have already been banned voluntarily by major operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars have already chosen to disallow credit card deposits voluntarily.
The third bill would seek to reinforce Pennsylvania’s self‑exclusion programme. Serving as a House counterpart to Senate Bill 266, it would prohibit licensed gambling operators from sending marketing materials, including promotions, bonuses, or advertisements, to people who have registered on the state’s self‑exclusion database.
Under current rules, self‑excluded players cannot collect winnings and may face penalties if they attempt to gamble. The new proposal would require operators to ensure these individuals are removed from all marketing lists.
The legislators said the package responds to growing concern about the exposure of younger adults to gambling advertising.
Flick commented: “Too many young people are being exposed to online gambling through constant advertising and unprecedented access from their phones and devices. These bills are about putting reasonable safeguards in place, promoting responsible gaming and helping ensure that young people and families are protected from gambling‑related harm.”
Khan added: “As a nurse practitioner, I believe we should address problem gambling the same way we address other public health challenges: with prevention, education, treatment, and commonsense safeguards. Our bipartisan bill package will help protect young people, individuals and families while supporting responsible gaming.”
The bills have not yet been formally introduced, and Khan and Flick are seeking co‑sponsors before filing them.
Pennsylvania’s igaming market generated over $2.78bn in revenue in 2025, a rise of 27.2 per cent year-on-year. Revenue from sports wagering reached $602.5m, a 17.97 per cent increase.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania skill games could also come in for new consumer protections under a proposal presented by representative Ben Waxman. House Bill 2557, currently with the House Gaming Oversight Committee, would require identity verification and impose loss limits and a restriction on the speed of gameplay while restricting machines to liquor-licensed or approved locations only open to over 21s.
