Congress Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Study Gambling Disorder Nationwide

Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced bipartisan legislation that would require the federal government to study gambling disorder and its long-term effects.

Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., and Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, recently introduced the Gambling Disorder Health Study Act (H.R. 8970), which would launch a comprehensive, multiyear federal investigation into the causes, development and long-term impacts of gambling disorder.

The legislation also would evaluate prevention, treatment and intervention efforts, including responsible gambling initiatives designed to reduce gambling-related harm.

Lawmakers cite rise of online betting and prediction markets

The bill comes as lawmakers and public health advocates raise concerns about the rapid expansion of online sports betting and prediction markets following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to strike down the federal ban on sports wagering.

Goldman described gambling addiction as a growing public health challenge that warrants greater federal attention. “Gambling addiction is a growing public health crisis, especially for young men, and the federal government needs to start treating it as such,” Goldman said.

“This bipartisan legislation is a commonsense first step to help us understand the full implications of the apps and sites that have made gambling readily accessible 24/7; to identify those most at risk of addiction; and to develop strategies to intervene and treat them, just as we do with other forms of addiction. Congress must take a more active role in fighting gambling addiction and pass this bill.”

According to the lawmakers, 27% of Americans and more than half of men ages 18 to 49 report having an active online sportsbook account. In addition, one-third of men in that age group say they have used prediction-market platforms such as Kalshi or Polymarket to place money on sports-related contracts.

H.R. 8970 outlines three-part federal research framework

The Gambling Disorder Health Study Act would establish a federal framework for researching gambling disorder and gambling-related harms.

If enacted, the legislation would:

1. Direct the federal government to conduct a comprehensive study examining the causes, demographics, contributing factors and long-term effects of gambling disorder, while evaluating current prevention, treatment and intervention efforts.
2. Require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit annual progress reports and policy recommendations to Congress.
3. Allocate 10% of federal excise tax revenue generated from state-authorized wagers to fund the study for up to three fiscal years.

Supporters argue that gambling disorder has received comparatively little federal research attention despite growing participation in legal sports betting and online wagering.

Moore said the expansion of sports betting and prediction markets has increased the need for a deeper understanding of gambling-related harms.

“We are in a new age of gambling addiction as sports betting and prediction markets have proliferated into every aspect of life,” Moore said in a press release. “Lawmakers and all Americans need to take a deeper look into the causes and effects of gambling addiction so we can best craft real solutions. This bill will go a long way in helping us address this crisis.”