Pennsylvania lawmakers propose online gambling limits for younger players

Two Pennsylvania representatives, Tarik Khan of the Democrats and Jamie Flick of the Republicans, are backing legislation to restrict online casino gambling, according to a report. The main bill, HB 2879 or the Pennsylvania Online Consumer Protection Act, would set lower betting and loss limits for players aged 21 to 25, who the bill's authors describe as the most vulnerable consumers. The proposals have not been enacted.

Under the bill, operators could accept only $2 per wager in online casinos from players aged 21 to 25, and $5 per play from those older than 25. Loss limits would be $750 a day or up to $2,500 a month for the 21 to 25 group, and up to $1,500 a day or $5,000 a month for players older than 25. When a limit is triggered, players would be locked out for 24 hours under the daily limit or 30 days under the monthly limit, depending on age group.

Two accompanying draft laws, HB 2875 and HB 2874, would ban credit card use for funding online gambling accounts and add protection for self-excluded consumers, respectively. The main bill also seeks to ban gambling advertising on college campuses and near schools, ban VIP programs, remove micro bets and allocate additional resources to fund treatment of problem gambling.

Khan said in a statement: "People should be free to enjoy an occasional bet. But the gambling industry shouldn't be allowed to exploit addiction for profit. We studied the problem, we followed the evidence, and now we're taking bipartisan action to protect Pennsylvanians." Khan also said problem gambling ruins lives and families, and that a statewide study he pushed for found gambling companies using practices that keep people betting as they lose.

Flick backed Khan's effort and urged fellow lawmakers to support the legislative push, arguing that sports betting advertisements and gambling apps are now part of children's upbringing and that measures are needed to prevent vulnerable consumers and underage individuals from developing gambling addiction.