Pennsylvanian lawmakers want to ensure problem gamblers don't see gambling ads

A new initiative coming from Pennsylvania’s corner wants to see problem gamblers in the Keystone State fully protected under a new draft law that was submitted and sponsored by Senator Wayne Fontana and a host of bipartisan lawmakers.

Problem gamblers in PA may soon be shielded from gambling ads

Effectively, Sen. Fontana argues that there are omissions in the way Pennsylvania and licensed operators engage with gamblers who have admitted to reckless or excessive gambling in the past.

For example, although players can self-exclude via the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, or soon opt for nationwide self-exclusion programs such as the ones touted by iProtekt and idPair, they are not fully covered when it comes to gambling advertisement.

In other words, Sen. Fontana and like-minded lawmakers want to ensure that the law explicitly coaches gambling regulation in the specific terms that would make it illegal for gambling operators to actually target or send gambling inducement messages to vulnerable players.

Sen. Wayne’s bill offers several key protections and enjoys support from a range of democrats, with Sen. Lisa Baker, a Republican, throwing her weight behind SB1211. The bill seeks to introduce several major prohibitions that will – the bill’s sponsors hope – ensure that consumers are better protected moving forward. The other sponsors of the bill are all members of the Democratic Party, and they include:

• Sen. Jimmy Dillon
• Sen. Jay Costa
• Sen. Amanda Cappelletti
• Sen. James Brewster
• Sen. John Kane
• Sen. Nicholas Miller

The measures focus on banning direct advertising or marketing to self-excluded players, such as sending them information about bonuses. Another measure is a direct prohibition to provide players "anything of value," as alternative promotions, complimentary gifts, or even free play could be used to circumnavigate the original rule.

Complimentary services are similarly excluded, and so is extending credit to self-excluded players. The bill also seeks to ensure that the existing list by the regulator is updated every 48 hours so that there is little chance of anyone slipping.

SB1211 also seeks to put some pretty stiff penalties in place for offending parties, with $150,000 attributable to individuals who are caught in a breach of the measure, between $150,000 and $300,000 applicable to gambling manufacturers, and between $300,000 and $600,000 for gambling entities.

Lawmakers push for consumer-focused change in gambling regulation

These fines could also be compounded by proposed felony charges along with doubling the maximum amount of each fine. Whether the bill would actually make it, it still indicates that there is a strong push to protect consumers from gambling-related harms.

From organizations such as ROGA to calls to take a harder stance on gambling advertisement nationally, there have been multiple calls to weigh the risks and benefits of gambling in its current framework.

Another reason for concern when it comes to protecting consumers, outside of the specific language used to protect players, is the growth of the illegal gambling sector. In a recent deep dive, Casino Guru News analyzed whether this is the case, reaching worrisome conclusions.

Regulating gambling, and protecting consumers in Pennsylvania or the United States, does not end with passing a basic gambling law.

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