The Current: New Bill In Congress Would Direct Federal Funds To Address Problem Gambling
Roundup: Legislative updates from Virginia, Maryland, Washington and more; fantasy sports operators expand self-exclusion program to more states in partnership with idPair.
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Sorry (or you’re welcome) for the lack of newsletters this week… it’s been a whirlwind of a week at the Next.io New York Summit, which remains my favorite event of the year to attend. While in NYC I did six panels, saw Polymarket’s office, and filmed in a studio for an hour and a half talking about prediction markets. Can’t wait to see the results of the filming!
One of the biggest no-brainers that should happen at the federal level is taking revenue from the federal excise tax on sports betting and using it on problem gambling.
Of course, common sense is not always enough to pass a bill in Congress, but there’s a new effort that would make a big difference.
The POINTS (Providing Opportunities for Individuals in Need of Treatment and Support) Act dropped this week, which would “expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals experiencing gambling addiction.”
From a press release on the introduction of the bill:
Under this legislation, for the first time, the federal government would dedicate funding specifically to addressing gambling addiction. The legislation redirects a portion of the existing federal excise tax on sports wagers to prevention, treatment, and recovery services—without creating any new taxes. The POINTS Act is expected to generate approximately $100 million annually to support programs that help individuals and families affected by gambling addiction.
The bill is being introduced during Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a national effort to raise awareness about the risks of problem gambling and expand access to treatment resources. Nearly 20 million Americans are estimated to show signs of problem gambling, contributing to an estimated $14 billion in annual social costs nationwide.
The POINTS Act represents the first bipartisan legislation focused on gambling addiction introduced in Congress in more than 15 years. …
“Gambling addiction can quietly devastate families. The financial damage and emotional strain often build over time and affect far more than the person placing the bet. I’ve seen how those consequences can impact loved ones and communities. As access to sports betting and online gambling grows, we have a responsibility to confront the addiction that can follow. The POINTS Act directs existing federal gaming revenue toward prevention, treatment, and recovery programs to help people get back on their feet.” — Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)
“As sports betting and online gambling continue to expand across the country, we have a responsibility to ensure people struggling with addiction are not left behind. Gambling addiction can devastate individuals and families, yet too many communities still lack the resources needed to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery support. The POINTS Act helps close that gap by investing existing gambling excise tax revenue into programs that expand care, raise awareness, and connect people to the help they need.” — Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
“Gambling addiction is a serious and growing challenge that affects individuals, families, and communities across our country. The POINTS Act takes an important step toward expanding prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those who need them most. By supporting states as they strengthen programs, train providers, and expand access to care, including in rural communities, we can ensure more Americans struggling with gambling addiction have a pathway to help and hope. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to improve access to treatment and support for those facing addiction.” — Rep. Miller-Meeks (IA-01)
“As legal sports betting and online wagering expand across the country, we must also provide support to those struggling with addiction. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to provide dedicated federal support for states and Tribal governments to prevent, identify, and treat gambling addiction. We must treat this illness with the seriousness it deserves and support those seeking help.” — Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02)
“We applaud Representatives Houchin and Salinas for their leadership in recognizing gambling addiction as a serious public health issue that requires a coordinated national response. Through the POINTS Act, directing existing federal revenue toward prevention, education, and treatment will help communities better address gambling-related harm and ensure support is available for those who need it.” — Heather Maurer, Executive Director, National Council on Problem Gambling
I am sincerely hoping this bill gets to the finish line. It’s well past time we put more serious money and resources into the issue of problem gambling.
Know the Risks
Randy and Anita discuss the common risks associated with sports betting and other forms of gambling that parents and other trusted adults should understand. In this clip, they talk about the heightened risk of problematic gambling after early exposure, and the reality that young people may not grasp the financial impacts of gambling.
Trusted Voices is designed to equip adults, including parents and coaches, with tools and resources to talk to young people about gambling, including information on warning signs and risks.
Gambling news roundup
Coalition for Fantasy Sports and idPair Expand Responsible Gaming Protections to 13 Additional States (press release): The Coalition for Fantasy Sports (CFS) and idPair, a safer gaming firm revolutionizing player health through innovative responsible gaming technology, have officially expanded their groundbreaking self-exclusion partnership to a total of 15 states.
Initially launched in New Mexico and Nebraska earlier this year, the program enables individuals to seamlessly exclude themselves from PrizePicks, Underdog, Betr, Dabble, and Splash Sports via the individual operator’s platforms. The program has demonstrated its value to consumers, with more than 66 percent of individuals who self-exclude choosing to opt into the national system—showcasing the demand for a unified, national self-exclusion program.
The expansion brings the technological capability to Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
“After we saw the success of the idPair program in Nebraska and New Mexico, we knew we wanted to expand in a big way,” said J.T. Foley, Executive Director of the Coalition for Fantasy Sports. “As we look to the start of the football season, we’re honored to be leading the charge on responsible gaming and making sure player protection remains a top priority as our Coalition and the industry grow.”
The pilot program, launched in February 2025, is the result of the Coalition and idPair’s collaboration to develop a national self-exclusion program. This initiative raises the industry standard for responsible gaming, ensuring players have access to a safer, more sustainable fantasy sports experience.
“We are proud to collaborate with the Coalition for Fantasy Sports to bring this innovative solution to more fantasy sports fans across the country,” said Jonathan Aiwazian, CEO of idPair. “Our technology ensures players’ sensitive data remains secure and private, giving them both peace of mind and a valuable guardrail to self-regulate their activities. We applaud members of the Coalition for this expansion and proactively working to ensure consumers can enjoy fantasy sports games safely and responsibly.”
“The success of this program shows what’s possible when innovation and player protection come together,” said Brianne Doura-Schawohl, International Responsible Gaming Consultant. “By making self-exclusion simple and consistent across operators, the Coalition and idPair are setting a new standard for consumer protection in fantasy sports.”
Legislative updates:
Virginia iGaming Bill Gets Effectively Pushed To 2027 (Casino Reports): “The Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee voted Monday to continue HB 271, further dimming the prospects of the Old Dominion legalizing online casino gaming for 2026. The 11-3 vote with one abstention essentially moved the bill, which would have created a new Virginia Gaming Commission to oversee all gaming in the state, to the 2027 legislative session. That came after the Resources Subcommittee voted 4-0 earlier Monday to continue the bill.”
Gambling Attorney: Maryland Online Casino Legalization Complicated On Multiple Fronts (Casino Reports): “Maryland’s legislative slog toward potentially legalizing online casino is likely being slowed by the same sentiments that have made the state’s fight against unregulated sites so vigorous, attorney Abbey Block said on Friday at the Morgan State Data Analytics and Sports Gaming Research (DASGR) Town Hall.”
Maryland Sweepstakes Casino Bill Gains Traction With MLGCA Backing (Sweepsy): “Maryland lawmakers gave a warm reception to the Maryland Illegal Online Gambling Enforcement Act during a Senate Budget and Taxation Committee hearing Wednesday, with the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, or MLGCA, pushing for expanded powers to target sweepstakes casinos and offshore sites using dual‑currency tricks to evade regulation. Maryland’s Senate Budget and Taxation Committee heard testimony in favor of Senate Bill 652, but did not act on the legislation Wednesday.”
Washington passes bill to loosen college sports betting rules (SBC Americas): “Both legislative chambers in Washington state have passed a bill that would allow betting on in-state college teams at the state’s land-based tribal-run casinos. … The bill, now known as the Sports Wagering Integrity Act, would change state law to allow betting on in-state college sports teams, as long as the wagers are placed in-person at tribal casinos via retail sportsbooks or by mobile device. Currently, people in Washington can bet on college sports as long as they don’t involve the likes of the University of Washington, Washington State University (WSU) or Gonzaga.
SB 6137 would also potentially give tribes more freedom in how they conduct sports betting.”
No Interest So Far in Alabama Sports Betting as Session Nears End (Sports Betting Dime): “Alabama sports betting is inching towards yet another failure as the state’s legislative session marches towards its final day.
Sen. Merika Coleman’s (D-19) bill, SB 257, to legalize casinos, Alabama sports betting, and a state lottery, has yet to receive a hearing in the Senate Tourism Committee after being introduced in early February.”
Massachusetts Bill to Increase Sports Betting Taxes by 155% Moves Forward (Sports Betting Dime): “A bill to radically alter the Massachusetts sports betting market and framework has been reported favorably to a new Senate committee. The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies voted 5-0 to move Sen. John F. Keenan’s (D – Norfolk/Plymouth) bill, S.302, to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. If approved, Keenan’s legislation would set some restrictions on the commonwealth’s sports betting market and the way customers wager in the state. His legislation calls for a 155% increase to the state’s current 20% online sports betting tax rate, a complete ban on in-game and prop bets, and prohibits sports betting ads during televised sporting events.”
Would Kentucky’s prediction markets bill ‘gut’ sports betting in the state? (SBC Americas): “An omnibus bill in Kentucky that would make numerous changes to the state’s sports betting market was unanimously advanced by a committee on Wednesday. A proposed substitute version of Reps. Michael Meredith and Matthew Koch’s House Bill 904 was approved in a 19-0 vote in the House Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations Committee on March 11, sending it to the full House floor for consideration. But Kentucky’s leading online sportsbooks sounded the alarm, warning that a section of the legislation that aims to stop sports betting licensees from affiliating with prediction markets risks forcing them to abandon the state’s regulated sports wagering market.”
Rep. Williams: ‘Foolish’ To Expect Georgia Sports Betting Votes Without Discussion (Legal Sports Report): “A Friday night vote concerning sports betting in Georgia was more than just another vote for Rep. Al Williams.
Williams, after all, is the president-elect of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States and has been one of the loudest voices calling for legal gaming in Georgia. Friday was the first time a bill that could legalize sports betting made it to the House floor after years of failed attempts. That is why it was so surprising to hear Williams talk against the resolution for nine minutes, stating he was not voting yes after he was kept out of conversations concerning where the future tax revenue would go. The resolution failed 98-63 and could push the Georgia sports betting conversation to 2027.”
“You don’t ask my input on anything, I think it’s absolutely foolish to expect support,” Williams told LSR on Monday. “Nobody does that. A bill this important, you build a coalition.”
💡My take: If the rise of prediction markets is going to lead to more adoption of online sports betting at the state level, that trend doesn’t seem like it will manifest until next year. There has been no groundswell of support for legalization, and in fact we continue to see lawmakers eye higher taxes and more onerous regulations.
If you want to get up to speed on prediction markets this week, here are my roundups at The Event Horizon. The biggest news is Underdog bought the plumbing to run its own prediction market, without the need for a partnership like its current one with Crypto.com:
Reverse job board
If you have been impacted by recent layoffs in the sports betting industry — or looking to hire — I am going to work on promoting my reverse job board. The hope is to match job seekers with prospective employers.
New additions for job seekers will be added on Friday.
NCAA Bolsters Competition Integrity with IC360’s ProhiBet Solution for Championship Officials (press release): Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360), the global technology and advisory platform for integrity and regulatory solutions in sports, sports betting and iGaming, announced today that the NCAA is taking a significant step in its commitment to the highest standards of integrity by engaging IC360’s ProhiBet solution for officials participating in the upcoming NCAA Division I Championships, including, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball.
This adoption of ProhiBet marks a critical action in the NCAA’s mission to uphold the integrity of collegiate competitions. ProhiBet will be utilized specifically for officials during the aforementioned championships, ensuring that the highest levels of oversight are in place during major college sports events.
ProhiBet is the industry-leading system that uses a secure and encrypted data network to prevent individuals who are prohibited from wagering—including athletes, coaches and league personnel—from placing sports bets. This tool will now incorporate NCAA championship officials to further enhance integrity monitoring and prevention.
The engagement with IC360 provides the NCAA with a robust, proactive, and confidential tool designed to meet the unique compliance challenges presented by the rapidly expanding legal sports betting market. By implementing ProhiBet, the NCAA is setting a new benchmark for protecting the fairness of its events and helping its officiating body adhere strictly to integrity policies.
Mark Hicks, NCAA Managing Director of Enforcement, said, “Implementing ProhiBet is a major step in increasing integrity protections for college sports. This platform adds another layer to the NCAA’s robust integrity monitoring program as we work to keep competition integrity and student-athlete well-being paramount in a rapidly evolving sports betting environment.”
Scott Sadin, Co-CEO of IC360, stated, “We’re thrilled to welcome the NCAA to the ProhiBet network and are honored to help protect the integrity of these iconic Division I championships. This collaboration sets a new industry benchmark and reinforces the importance of proactive deterrence and detection in keeping collegiate athletics fair.”
Beyond The Power 5: Why Gambling Rings Are Targeting Smaller Programs (InGame): “Dena Freeman-Patton has read the allegations and the names of the schools involved in the most recent of the seemingly endless NCAA men’s basketball point-shaving scandals. There’s a realization that many of the schools listed have much in common with Morgan State in Baltimore, where she’s been the athletics director since 2022.”
“Things to go to school cost money. And in this landscape of NIL and revenue-sharing and everything else, the students that are being targeted the most are the students that aren’t getting the money, that need the money,” Freeman-Patton said. “So they’re more susceptible.”
The latest from Gaming News Canada:
Las Vegas visitor report sheds light on data behind sluggish 2025 (iGB): “The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority released its annual visitor profile study this week, and the findings largely align with the trends that contributed to a sluggish year for America’s top casino market in 2025. Last year’s performance was defined by fewer people spending more money, as visitation was down markedly while gaming revenue ebbed and flowed. LVCVA data showed that 38.5 million people visited Las Vegas in 2025, a 7.5% decrease year-over-year. Overall traffic to Harry Reid International Airport was down 6%. That said, gaming revenue for the state was up 1%, and the Strip was flat YoY at $8.8 billion.”
Ifrah Law has been at the center of advancing iGaming in the U.S., shaping groundbreaking legislation, leading precedent-setting cases, and guiding clients that span the iGaming ecosystem through every phase of their business journey. Learn more at IfrahLaw.com.
California cardrooms sue to block new table games rules (SBC Americas): “California gaming and cardrooms associations filed lawsuits in San Francisco this week to challenge the state Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control’s (DOJ) new regulations restricting and altering the games that licensed cardrooms can offer. The California Gaming Association (CGA), California Cardroom Alliance (CCA) and the Communities for California Cardrooms (CCC) issued a joint press release to confirm they have filed two separate claims in San Francisco Superior Court.
From the release: According to the Attorney General’s own Standardized Regulatory Impact Assessment (SRIA), the regulations would eliminate at least 50% of cardroom jobs and revenue, which could force many cardrooms to close. Unless blocked by the court, implementation of the regulations is scheduled to start April 1, 2026, with actual changes to cardroom games coming as early as June.
The lawsuit explains that the regulations are an unprecedented power grab by the Attorney General that contradict state law in multiple ways. The rules reverse decades of settled law and practice under which these games were approved as lawful by multiple Attorneys General, including former Governor Jerry Brown and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
The cardroom industry contends the regulations lack any legal or factual basis and were adopted despite overwhelming opposition from cities, workers, and community leaders. The Department of Justice finalized the regulations on February 9, 2026, leaving them unchanged despite receiving 1,764 public comments, nearly all of which raised concerns about the regulations’ legality and grave economic consequences.
More from Straight to the Point:
Global Gaming Women celebrates 10 years with new content (SBC Americas): “Global Gaming Women (GGW) is celebrating a major milestone with new goals and the launch of commemorative content and programming. GGW has reached its 10th anniversary as an independent non-profit organization that supports women in gaming with development tools and networking opportunities. The organization debuted in 2016 with backing from the American Gaming Association and has since expanded its reach to over 60 countries.”
