Pennsylvania launches first Problem Gambling Caucus
Lawmakers call problem gambling a public health crisis, but have not yet put forward specific legislation.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania lawmakers launched the state’s first Problem Gambling Caucus, a bipartisan group with members from both chambers.
- The caucus identified three areas of concern: easy access to online gambling, advertising and sports betting.
- The two-year legislative session is nearing its end, so the caucus has until the new calendar begins in January to develop proposals.
U.S.- Pennsylvania lawmakers have launched the state’s first Problem Gambling Caucus, a bipartisan initiative aimed at addressing the risks associated with online gambling. Announced on Wednesday, the group brings together legislators from both sides of the General Assembly.
In Wednesday’s announcement, lawmakers and advocates described problem gambling as a public health crisis, comparing its effects with drug and alcohol addiction. Although they did not disclose specific legislative proposals, they identified three main areas of concern: easy access to online gambling, advertising and sports betting.
The caucus plans to address the impact of online gambling through a range of measures focused on prevention, education and consumer protection. Its proposals include raising awareness among young people about gambling risks, examining the effects of online betting advertising and pushing for stronger safeguards to reduce gambling-related harm. Lawmakers also want to balance the state’s gaming revenue with the social costs associated with problem gambling.
State Senator Joe Picozzi, a Republican representing Philadelphia County, said: “When people lose their life savings, nobody wins. State revenues are relevant to that, because there’s a huge social cost to that, too”.
Underage gambling is another concern, and one of the main priorities of the new caucus is to protect children from the potentially harmful effects of gambling. Pennsylvania requires users to be at least 21 to gamble online or at casinos, but some minors reportedly bypass age checks by using virtual private networks (VPNs), fake identification or the identification documents of relatives and friends.
Sports betting and its effects on families
Research cited during the debate also raised concerns about the potential effects of sports betting on families. A University of Oregon study found that reports of child maltreatment increased by 5 to 7 per cent after states legalised sports betting. Research from San Diego State University and MIT found that intimate partner violence increased by 6 to 10 per cent following unexpected losses by home teams in NFL games.
Picozzi acknowledged that developing solutions to online gambling-related problems could take years. As an example, he noted that it took 13 years after casino gambling was legalised in Pennsylvania for lawmakers to pass legislation requiring operators to offer cooling-off periods.
The current two-year legislative session is nearing its end, leaving lawmakers little time to advance new measures. However, the next legislative calendar begins in January, giving the Problem Gambling Caucus more time to develop proposals and pursue potential safeguards
