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Two Pennsylvania lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle plan to introduce a package of bills aimed at addressing problem gambling and adding new consumer protections for online casino and sportsbook customers in the state.
Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia, and Jamie Flick, R-Lycoming/Union, announced the legislative package, framing problem gambling as a public health issue as online wagering continues to expand across the commonwealth.
The proposals would place new restrictions on gambling operators’ marketing practices, prohibit the use of credit cards to fund online gambling accounts, and strengthen protections for individuals enrolled in Pennsylvania’s self-exclusion program. The lawmakers said the bills are designed to balance consumer protections with support for the state’s regulated gaming industry.
Pennsylvania’s online casinos and sports betting market generated more than $3.5 billion in revenue in 2025, and sports operators accepted billions in wagers, making the commonwealth one of the largest regulated online gambling markets in the US.
Bills would limit deposits and curb targeted gambling ads
The centerpiece of the package is the Pennsylvania Online Consumer Protection Act. According to a co-sponsorship memo circulated to House members, the bill would establish limits on the frequency of deposits into online gambling accounts within a 24-hour period.
It would also restrict certain marketing practices, including push notifications and text-message solicitations, and would increase protections against advertising targeting young people. The proposal would further expand investments in prevention, education, treatment and responsible gaming programs.
According to a PlayPennsylvania news report, Khan and Flick wrote in the memo: “Problem gambling is increasingly recognized as a public health issue because of the significant harm it can cause to mental health, financial security and family stability.” The legislators also pointed to research suggesting a disproportionate share of gambling revenue comes from individuals experiencing gambling-related harm.
House bill would make credit card deposit ban permanent
A second bill would prohibit players from using credit cards to fund online gambling accounts, serving as a House companion to Senate Bill 265. The measure is intended to reduce the accumulation of gambling-related debt — consumer advocates have long argued that allowing gamblers to wager with borrowed money can accelerate financial harm.
DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and Caesars have already voluntarily prohibited credit cards as a deposit method. However, sponsor Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline, argues that because those bans were made at the corporate level, they can be reversed — making a statutory prohibition necessary.
Pennsylvania’s self-exclusion protections would expand
The third bill would strengthen Pennsylvania’s self-exclusion program, serving as a House companion to Senate Bill 266. The measure would prohibit licensed operators from sending advertisements, promotions, bonuses or other marketing materials to individuals who have voluntarily enrolled in the state’s self-exclusion database, and would require operators to ensure self-excluded individuals are removed from marketing lists.
The bill comes shortly after two self-excluded gamblers were denied jackpot winnings at separate Pennsylvania retail casinos for violating the program’s terms.
Youth exposure to gambling ads as key motivation
Both lawmakers cited growing concerns about younger adults’ exposure to gambling advertising as a driving force behind the package. Flick said:
“Too many young people are being exposed to online gambling through constant advertising and unprecedented access from their phones and devices. These bills are about putting reasonable safeguards in place, promoting responsible gaming and helping ensure that young people and families are protected from gambling-related harm.”
Khan added: “As a nurse practitioner, I believe we should address problem gambling the same way we address other public health challenges: with prevention, education, treatment and commonsense safeguards. Our bipartisan bill package will help protect young people, individuals and families while supporting responsible gaming.”
The legislation has not yet been formally introduced. The lawmakers are currently seeking co-sponsors ahead of filing the bills in the House.
