A00145
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
60
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KHAN, HARKINS, McANDREW, WEBSTER, WAXMAN, GIRAL,
HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, NEILSON, DONAHUE, GREEN AND MALAGARI,
FEBRUARY 5, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAMING OVERSIGHT, FEBRUARY 5, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on sports betting and related interactive gambling in
this Commonwealth, including recommended methods to further
regulate the industry in order to reduce problem gambling
behaviors, gambling debt and the exposure of children to
sports betting and related interactive gambling
advertisements.
WHEREAS, In May 2018, the United States Supreme Court struck
down a Federal law that prohibited commercial sports betting,
and in November 2018, the first legal sports bet was placed in
this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, As of January 2025, 38 states and the District of
Columbia have legalized sports betting, and sports betting has
become a multi-billion-dollar industry; and
WHEREAS, A major change to Pennsylvania's gambling industry
has been the increased availability of interactive gaming,
including greater access to online and mobile betting platforms,
which has become the fastest method of gambling for both
traditional casino-style gambling and sports betting; and
WHEREAS, In 2024, it was projected that $35 billion would be
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wagered on the National Football League, with bets being
available on all sports and other competitions; and
WHEREAS, Despite its clear popularity and economic benefits,
some experts have correlated the growth of the sports betting
industry to increases in problem gambling rates and expressed
concerns regarding minors being exposed to sports betting
content; and
WHEREAS, According to the University of California Los
Angeles Gambling Studies Program, younger people are at higher
risk of developing gambling disorders than adults and there is
an increase in access to casino-style gambling and sports
betting, with a multitude of online platforms offering online
and mobile betting; and
WHEREAS, Due to the high level of accessibility and comfort
with which bets can be placed, concerns have been expressed that
interactive gaming and sports betting increases rates of problem
and addictive gambling; and
WHEREAS, Problem gambling may lead to repeated, uncontrolled
gambling that can result in negative consequences to an
individual, leading to the loss of relationships, jobs and other
opportunities; and
WHEREAS, While 2% to 3% of adults are believed to experience
problem gambling, rates as high as 10% have been estimated in
college students; and
WHEREAS, Some sports bettors believe sports betting to be a
unique form of gambling due to their knowledge of the sports,
players and teams, but some experts believe that sports betting
portrays an illusion of control that may lead to higher rates of
problem gambling; and
WHEREAS, Sports betting is often based on online platforms
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making it more accessible than physical gambling locations where
traveling or cash payments may be necessary; and
WHEREAS, The viewing of sports is immensely popular in our
culture, including among young audiences, and in 2022, more than
$300 million was spent on sports betting television
advertisements; and
WHEREAS, Some experts believe that sports betting
advertisements during sports broadcasts, particularly through
the endorsement of professional athletes, could normalize and
encourage sports betting to young viewers, possibly leading to
problem gambling in the future; and
WHEREAS, Several states have enacted laws and regulations
prohibiting the advertisement of sports betting targeted to
minors, with Federal legislation being introduced that would
prohibit all sports betting advertisements on television, radio
and the Internet; and
WHEREAS, Sports betting is a novel, popular industry with
many benefits but also many potential concerns that have led to
some experts declaring it a potential public health crisis; and
WHEREAS, According to public data provided by the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, as of January 2025, 95% of
all sports betting wagers and 60% of all slot machine wagers in
Pennsylvania were made online; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth has been a leading state in
addressing problem gambling, and its methods may serve as a
model for other states to follow; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study on sports betting
and related interactive gambling in this Commonwealth, including
recommended methods to further regulate the industry in order to
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reduce problem gambling behaviors, gambling debt and the
exposure of children to sports betting and related interactive
gambling advertisements; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include information regarding
marketing strategies by sports betting and related interactive
gambling licensees, such as promotions, in-game advertising,
advertising during sports broadcasts and webcasts, as well as
the usage of celebrities and animated spokespersons; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That, in developing their recommendations to
address these concerns, the Joint State Government Commission
consult with qualified legal counsel to ensure that the proposed
recommendations would not conflict with the Constitution of the
United States or the Constitution of Pennsylvania, including the
First Amendment right to free speech; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report of its findings and recommendations and submit the report
to the General Assembly no later than 12 months after the
adoption of this resolution.
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