Photo by kschneider2991, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Several US states have banned or considered bans on all sweepstakes casinos as legal gambling spreads, but many are wondering if it is the right move. With problem gambling on the rise, are states taking away a possible solution?
The New York Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee unanimously passed a bill banning sweepstakes gambling this week, setting up a Senate floor vote. The bill aims to subject the industry to the same regulations and taxes as the real-money gambling industry.
New Responsible gaming initiatives will be tested as the AGA is projecting a record-setting $3.1 billion in wagers during the 2025 edition of March Madness. The tournament will give lawmakers a barometer to gauge these initiatives' effectiveness.
Rep. Tonko and Sen. Blumenthal have reintroduced the SAFE Bet Act into Congress, which would shift sports betting regulation to the federal government. The bill is meant to address the sharp rise in problem gambling but will face heavy opposition from the industry.
A group of Connecticut lawmakers has proposed Senate Bill 1464, which would set a maximum daily sports betting wagering limit. Supporters hope that the bill will help curb the alarming rise in problem gambling without a full ban on the industry.
A group of 16 lawmakers have proposed House Resolution 52 to officially recognize March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month to curb the growing problem. The bill would also formally make gambling addiction a public health issue deserving of more resources.
Rep. Salinas and Sen. Blumenthal have reintroduced the GRIT Act to stop the rise of gambling addiction and prevent problem gambling before it happens. The bill would funnel federal sports betting funds to programs to address the growing issue.
The Mississippi Senate has overwhelmingly voted in favor of SB 2510, which would ban sweepstakes casinos after operators ignored requests to shut down. The bill will now head to the House for a vote before the Governor can sign off.
FanDuel parent company Flutter has announced that over half of users have engaged with the new “My Spend” tool, which promotes responsible money management. The tool allows bettors to view their finances with FanDuel to ensure they aren’t betting beyond their means.
NCAA President Charlie Baker appeared at a US Senate hearing to request increased federal sports betting regulations to protect athletes' mental health. Baker cited a rise in the harassment of college athletes as a reason for increased regulations nationwide.
A recently proposed bill in the New Jersey Assembly takes a unique approach to underage gambling. It lowers fines and removes the threat of jail time. All revenue generated from fines would be used to support the state’s problem gambling programs.
The American Gaming Association has updated its “bet responsibly” campaign to tackle the issue of athlete harassment, which continues to rise across the US. The AGA hopes the campaign will help protect athletes as well as avoid heavy-handed regulations.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a new bill into law that will require warnings about addiction in all gambling-related advertising in the state. The message must talk about the dangers and possible consequences of problem gambling.
Ex-Jags employee Amit Patel is suing FanDuel for $250 million, claiming the company exploited his gambling addiction that led to him stealing $22 million from the team. The lawsuit alleges the company flooded him with messages tempting him to continue gambling.
Nevada Rep. Dina Titus has become the first member of the US Congress to publicly oppose the recently proposed SAFE Bet Act, calling it a “misguided” effort. The bill aims to give the federal government the power to regulate all sports betting.
Two lawmakers have proposed the SAFE Bet Act, which would completely overhaul the US sports betting industry. The proposal would reset the market, handing control over to the federal government. The bill would also add severe advertising restrictions and protections for bettors.
A study from the University of Bristol showed that most US sportsbooks’ social media posts do not include verbiage about responsible gaming. The AGA confirmed the study was likely correct but also clarified that sportsbooks are not required to include it in non-sponsored posts.
Underdog Fantasy has announced that the Game Safety Institute will be its next GuardDog fund recipient, furthering its commitment to support responsible gaming initiatives. The funds will educate bettors and study and disseminate data to help curb gambling problems.
The NFL has agreed to give $6.4 million to the National Council on Problem Gambling over the next three years. The deal continues a partnership aimed at curbing problem gambling in the league and across the US.
The American Gaming Association has released a new policy questioning the fairness of sweepstakes sportsbooks, which are currently unregulated in the US. While no legal action will be taken, the new policy shows the group’s plans to reign the industry in.
