Pennsylvania’s Joint State Government Commission has released a new report examining the state’s gambling laws and regulatory framework. Prepared with input from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the report outlines potential policy changes that lawmakers may consider as the state’s regulated gambling market continues to evolve. The goal is to strengthen consumer protections and promote responsible gaming.
The Sports Betting and Related Interactive Gambling in Pennsylvania report recommends the following changes to Pennsylvania gambling laws:
Banning live betting removes a type of wagering that leads to more impulsive gambling, since players can place wagers throughout the game. Removing credit card deposits for sports betting prevents players from funding their accounts with funds they may not have.
Setting mandatory responsible gaming limits ensures that players are actually utilizing these tools, since often, they’re just in the background rather than prominently featured within the overall experience.
Putting restrictions on gambling advertisements is important because users are often inundated with ads while watching sporting events. VIP rewards programs can be problematic, since operators often provide perks to players who have suffered major financial losses on their site. We saw this issue at the forefront recently, when a Bryce Harper video was used by FanDuel for a VIP user.
Removing push notifications for users who are logged out can help prevent players who are self-excluding from a sportsbook from getting enticed to log back in.
Each of these recommendations is a rational change to promote responsible gaming and enhance player protections.
Separate from the legislative recommendations, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is moving forward with proposed regulatory changes that would strengthen responsible gambling requirements for licensed operators. The proposed amendments have already been released for public comment and are intended to clarify how operators should develop problem gambling programs.
Many of the proposed changes focus on online casino operators and player protection tools. The PGCB has proposed expanding the responsible gambling options available to players by allowing longer account suspensions, providing more ways to set betting and spending limits, and giving users the ability to opt out of direct marketing communications. The regulator also wants online casinos to submit monthly reports detailing self-limitation and self-exclusion activity.
The proposal also includes several new advertising standards. Operators would face tighter restrictions on marketing to self-excluded individuals and other groups considered at greater risk of gambling-related harm. In addition, advertisements aimed primarily at minors would be prohibited.
While these proposed regulations are separate from the Joint State Government Commission’s report, they reflect a similar emphasis on strengthening consumer protections and responsible gambling across Pennsylvania’s regulated gaming industry.
There are still some hurdles to pass through for these recommendations.
Because the report was prepared for the General Assembly, any legislative proposals would need to be introduced as bills, debated by lawmakers, and approved through the normal legislative process before becoming law.
At the same time, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s proposed regulatory amendments are following a separate path. Those changes have been released for public comment and will be reviewed before the board determines whether to adopt them. If approved, the updated regulations could take effect without requiring the General Assembly to pass new legislation.
Whether through legislative action, regulatory changes, or a combination of both, Pennsylvania continues to look for proactive measures to address problem gambling.
