Pennsylvania’s online gambling industry just posted another record year, but that success is now drawing increased scrutiny in Harrisburg. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is preparing legislation that would place new restrictions on online casinos and sportsbooks, arguing that the state’s rapidly expanding digital gaming market needs stronger consumer safeguards.
State Reps. Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia) and Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) announced plans for three bills aimed at curbing what they describe as growing gambling-related harm, particularly among younger adults who can access online betting platforms around the clock.
The proposals come after Pennsylvania players lost a combined $3.37 billion through legal online gambling channels in 2025. Online casino revenue climbed to a record $2.77 billion, while sports bettors dropped another $602.5 million, with most wagers placed through mobile apps and websites.
What Would Change?
The most sweeping proposal, the Pennsylvania Online Consumer Protection Act, would introduce limits on how frequently players can deposit funds into their online gambling accounts within 24 hours.
The legislation would also seek to curb marketing tactics that lawmakers consider overly aggressive, including promotional push notifications and text messages designed to encourage additional play. Additional provisions would strengthen restrictions on gambling advertising aimed at younger audiences while increasing support for problem gambling prevention, education, and treatment programs.
Two companion bills would tackle other areas of concern. One would prohibit players from using credit cards to fund online casino and sports betting accounts, a measure supporters say could help reduce gambling-related debt. The second would prevent operators from marketing to individuals who have voluntarily enrolled in Pennsylvania’s self-exclusion program.
So, Why Now?
Supporters of the legislation point to rising concerns about gambling addiction alongside the explosive growth of Pennsylvania’s online gaming market. According to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, calls to the state’s 1-800-GAMBLER helpline have increased since online casinos and sports betting launched, with younger adults accounting for a growing share of those seeking assistance.
Research from Penn State University’s 2025 Pennsylvania Interactive Gaming Assessment found that nearly 30% of Pennsylvania adults participated in some form of online gambling during the year, a significant increase from previous studies.
What It Could Mean for Pennsylvania Operators
If enacted, the measures would represent one of the most significant responsible gaming overhauls since Pennsylvania launched legal online gambling. Operators could face new restrictions on player acquisition and retention strategies, particularly around direct marketing and deposit activity. At the same time, lawmakers insist the goal is not to roll back legal online gambling but to add guardrails to an industry that continues to grow at a rapid pace.
The legislation has not yet been formally introduced, but it is likely to spark debate between responsible gaming advocates, operators, and industry groups over how Pennsylvania should balance consumer protection with one of the country’s most successful online gambling markets.
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