Pennsylvania Moves to Set Limits on Online Casino Games

In Pennsylvania, two lawmakers, Democrat Tarik Khan and Republican Jamie Flick, have set political differences aside to work together against gambling addiction. The drafted HB 2879, known as the Pennsylvania Online Consumer Protection Act, aims to prevent excessive spending on online gambling.

Under the proposal, betting and loss limits will be set lower for players aged 21 to 25. This group is seen as the most vulnerable group of consumers. Alongside the bill, two additional draft laws would ban funding online gambling accounts with credit cards and better protect people who have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling.

Khan said there is nothing wrong with people placing occasional bets, but the gambling industry should not be allowed to profit from addiction. Flick pointed out that sports betting ads and gambling apps are reaching children, and argued that minors and vulnerable people must be kept from being drawn into addiction.

Under the proposal, players aged 21 to 25 will be able to deposit no more than $2 per game in online casinos, while players over 25 may deposit up to $5. The daily loss limit for those aged 21 to 25 will be $750, and the monthly limit will be $2,500. For players over 25, these limits are set at $1,500 per day and $5,000 per month. A player who reaches a daily limit will be locked out of their account for 24 hours, and a player who reaches a monthly limit for 30 days.

The proposal also bans gambling advertising near university campuses and schools. VIP programs will be eliminated entirely, and micro-betting will be prohibited. Additional resources for treating gambling addiction are also planned.