Pennsylvania Representatives Tarik Khan and Jamie Flick have introduced a bipartisan package of gambling reform bills targeting operator marketing, credit card use, and self-exclusion protections.
The package is specifically aimed at “addressing problem gambling as a public health issue,” according to both lawmakers, who are pushing for stronger consumer protections statewide.
One of the key measures in the package is the Pennsylvania Online Consumer Protection Act, which would establish limits on online gambling deposits within a 24-hour period.
The proposed Act would also restrict certain marketing practices, including push notifications and text message solicitations sent directly to consumers by gambling operators.
Protections against youth-targeted advertising would be strengthened under the legislation, alongside increased investment in prevention, education, treatment, and responsible gaming programmes.
Khan and Flick are also seeking to ban the use of credit cards to fund online gambling accounts, addressing a long-standing concern among responsible gambling advocates.
The two lawmakers plan to introduce a House companion to Senate Bill 265, which targets credit card use across iGaming, online lottery, sports betting, and fantasy contests.
A further element of the package focuses on strengthening Pennsylvania’s self-exclusion programme, preventing operators from marketing to consumers who have voluntarily added themselves to the exclusion list.
Khan and Flick drew inspiration from bipartisan legislation already introduced in Pennsylvania and in Colorado, where Governor Jared Polis recently signed a similar bill placing restrictions on sports betting operators.
“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,” Khan said.
Flick added: “Too many young people are being exposed to online gambling through constant advertising and unprecedented access from their phones and devices.”
Flick continued: “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.”
Pennsylvania has been one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the US since launching online casino gaming in 2019, following legislation passed in 2017.
