Pennsylvania lawmakers have officially launched the state's first legislative caucus aimed specifically at addressing issues related to problem gambling. Announced on Wednesday, the bipartisan Problem Gambling Caucus intends to advocate for research and education about the potential dangers associated with gambling.
During the caucus unveiling, legislators expressed their commitment to establishing "common-sense safeguards" regarding sports betting and casino gambling. The caucus is set to meet for the first time in January 2027 when the General Assembly reconvenes for its legislative session.
The founding members of the caucus include:
– Rep. Danilo Burgos (D)
– Rep. Jamie Flick (R)
– Rep. Tarik Khan (D)
– Sen. Nick Miller (D)
– Sen. Joe Picozzi (R)
– Rep. Ben Sanchez (D)
At a recent press conference, lawmakers emphasized the need for the Problem Gambling Caucus due to the widespread availability of gambling apps that residents can access from their mobile devices. In 2017, the state legislature approved iGaming and online sports betting, paving the way for this issue.
Rep. Jamie Flick remarked, "The drug of choice is no longer alcohol. The drug of choice now just sits right in your pocket." Sen. Joe Picozzi emphasized that the state must confront the challenges posed by "frictionless online gambling," explaining that this issue is particularly prevalent among younger demographics. He stated, "Online gambling requires a modern response … Convenience cannot mean the absence of guardrails. We need to look at some common-sense reforms to the online gambling experience."
During the announcement, members outlined several priorities, including:
– Reducing exposure of youth to gambling advertisements
– Creating public education initiatives detailing the risks associated with different forms of gambling
– Advocating for measures like deposit and time limits, as well as transparent spending and loss information.
Data presented by caucus members pointed to alarming gambling trends in Pennsylvania, indicating that state residents are twice as likely to experience gambling addiction compared to the national average. Furthermore, studies suggest that over 25% of residents may be at risk for developing gambling disorders. A recent Penn State University study of over 3,500 adults revealed that:
– Up to 6.4% of all Pennsylvania adults displayed signs of gambling problems in 2025, while the national average is estimated at 3-4%.
– Between 25.4% and 29.9% of adults in Pennsylvania are classified as at-risk gamblers.
– Approximately 30% of Pennsylvania adults participated in online gambling in the past year, rising from 20% in 2024.
– Roughly 73% of adults in Pennsylvania reported engaging in some form of gambling.
– Those who gamble online and in-person have the highest rates of problem gambling.
Particular attention was brought to young males, with Sen. Picozzi noting that diagnoses of gambling disorders in men aged 18 to 29 have more than doubled in the past decade. Research conducted by Common Sense Media and the American Institute of Boys and Men revealed that 59% of adolescent boys learn about gambling through content found on social media.
The Pennsylvania gambling market has proven lucrative, with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) reporting 2025 as the fifth consecutive year of record revenue across all gambling forms. The PGCB attributed this growth to a 27% year-over-year increase in iGaming revenue, which alone contributed $2.8 billion of last year’s total gambling revenue of $6.8 billion. The total revenue for the fiscal year 2025-26 reached $7.05 billion.
In light of these findings, the Pennsylvania legislature commissioned a study regarding gambling in July 2026, driven by a resolution introduced by Rep. Tarik Khan in 2025. This study identified the need for stronger consumer protections and examined marketing practices of the gambling industry.
"What we found was deeply troubling: Gambling companies using predatory practices to keep people betting, even as they’re losing everything," Khan said during a news release on Wednesday.
As a response to this study, Khan and Flick filed a package of bipartisan legislation inspired by a similar initiative in Colorado, aimed at:
– Setting limits on deposits and losses
– Restricting push notifications and texts that promote gambling
– Banning micro bets
– Tightening regulations around VIP programs and AI-driven promotions
– Limiting gambling advertisements targeted at young people
– Funding prevention, treatment, and independent research on gambling addiction.
Khan emphasized the importance of this legislation, asserting, "The gambling industry shouldn’t be allowed to exploit addiction for profit. We studied the problem, we followed the evidence, and now we’re taking bipartisan action to protect Pennsylvanians."
