U.S. lawmakers have introduced new legislation aimed at addressing the growing public health challenges associated with problem gambling. The proposed Providing Opportunities for Individuals In Need of Treatment & Support (POINTS) Act would allocate a portion of the federal tax on sports betting to fund prevention, treatment, and recovery programs for problem gambling. If passed, the measure would establish the first dedicated stream of federal funding for gambling addiction services in the United States, with grants administered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The POINTS Act would redirect one-third of the existing federal excise tax on sports betting (0.25% of wagers) to fund programs addressing gambling addiction. This could generate approximately $100 million annually without introducing new taxes.
Programs would also prioritize support for high-risk groups, including youth, men, veterans, and Native Americans.
Gambling disorder is classified as an addiction, yet the United States currently does not have dedicated federal funding for gambling addiction services, despite the issue being associated with an estimated $14 billion in annual social costs.
This is why the POINTS Act has been proposed.
The POINTS Act will now move through the early stages of the U.S. legislative process, where it must be reviewed by relevant congressional committees before it can advance to a vote in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
During this stage, lawmakers may debate the proposal, hold hearings, and introduce potential amendments to the bill.
If approved by both chambers of Congress, the legislation would be sent to the president for signature into law.
This bill would establish a dedicated federal funding stream that could significantly expand resources for gambling addiction prevention and treatment.
The introduction of the POINTS Act comes as concerns grow over the limits of existing responsible gambling measures in the rapidly expanding online betting market.
Legal sportsbooks offer responsible gaming tools, including deposit limits, time reminders, and self-exclusion options. However, research and industry data suggest these safeguards are often underutilized by most players.
Many bettors either ignore these tools or only activate them after experiencing significant financial or personal harm. As a result, relying solely on voluntary safeguards offered by operators is not enough to effectively address gambling-related harm.
Federal funding could help fill this gap. By directing funding toward public health responses rather than relying exclusively on operator-based tools, the legislation aims to strengthen broader protections for vulnerable bettors.
As sports betting continues to expand across the country, there needs to be more consumer protections in place. Prioritizing responsible gaming through the POINTS Act would be a major step towards addressing the issue of problem gambling.
