PA Legislature Introduces Problem Gambling Legislation

One by one, each state is looking for ways to curb problem gambling issues. This has been prompted by the proliferation of online gambling that has been legalized in 40 or more states. In the past few weeks, it's been lawmakers in Pennsylvania who have started creating legislation to address the state's increase in problem gambling calls.

To address such issues, a bipartisan group led by Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia, and Jamie Flick, R-Lycoming/Union, have put together a legislative package that is intended to curb the state's growing problems related to online gambling problems.

The legislative focuses on three ways to help online gamblers:

• Prohibiting the use of credit cards to fund online gambling accounts


• Placing new restrictions on how online gambling operators operate


• Strengthen the ways that self-exclusion programs will protect gamblers

As a reminder, the PA online gambling industry took in billions in online casino and sportsbook gambling in 2025. This generated more than $3.5 billion in revenue for operators, translating into several hundred million in tax revenue for the state. This makes the state a leader in America's overall online gambling industry.

Permanent Ban on Credit Card Deposits

As part of Senate Bill 265, lawmakers are seeking to prevent online gamblers from using their credit cards to fund gambling accounts. The hope is that by preventing them from accumulating unneeded debt, it will lessen the long-term problems that people tend to be troubled by.

It's worth noting that some operators have already imposed such restrictions in PA. That includes DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars. In reality, such restrictions were initiated at the corporate level, with the ability for operators to reverse them at the state level. That's why Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline, argues that such bans should be made statutory.

Strengthening Restrictions on Operators

The core of Senate Bill 265 addresses ways to restrict what operators can do and allow. It seeks to restrict advertising efforts, with emphasis on push notifications and text-message solicitations, specifically efforts directed at young, vulnerable gamblers. The bill also calls for operators to invest more in preventing problem gambling issues.

As for what operators can allow, the bill seeks to force operators to restrict the number of deposits a customer can make in a 24-hour period.

In a memo, Khan and Flick wrote:

“Problem gambling is increasingly recognized as a public health issue because of the significant harm it can cause to mental health, financial security and family stability.”

Expanding Self-Inclusion Protection

As responsible adults, all online gamblers are expected to monitor their online gambling efforts. Unfortunately, even those with the best of intentions can fall victim to gambling addiction.

As part of Senate Bill 266, lawmakers are seeking to prohibit operators from sending any kind of advertising material to customers who have entered self-exclusion programs. This would include a provision that would require that operators make sure that self-excluded individuals are properly removed from marketing lists. This seems to come in response to recent efforts by excluded individuals trying to claim jackpot winnings.