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In a first for the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania lawmakers have formed the Problem Gambling Caucus. Seeking to stem what it sees as an escalating crisis in the Keystone State.
A recent study by Penn State revealed that 30% of adults gamble online every year, and the Problem Gambling Caucus is officially sounding the alarm.
Representative Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming) described online gambling addiction as being as strong as street drugs:
“The drug of choice is no longer marijuana or meth. The drug of choice now sits in your pocket.”
Pennsylvania breaks revenue record
With the caucus’s formation announced, the bipartisan group also laid out its legislative priorities, including reducing youth exposure to gambling ads, establishing broader responsible gambling protections, and launching PSAs to inform the public about the risks of casinos and sports betting.
Pennsylvania hauled in $6.8 billion in gambling revenue in 2025, marking a fifth consecutive record for the Commonwealth. While in-person casino revenues have flattened, online gambling has exploded.
Sports bettors racked up losses of $602.5 million last year, blowing away the $340.1 million figure from 2022. Those records do not include prediction markets, which have become a fixture in the online gambling space.
State Senator Joe Picozzi (R-Philadelphia) said Pennsylvania needs to take a close look at the laws on the books to protect its residents:
“With sports betting and online casinos just a tap away, we need to make sure our laws and consumer protections keep pace. That means taking a serious look at gambling addiction, protecting young adults and other vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and promoting responsible gaming.
When people lose their life savings, nobody wins, because there’s a huge social cost.”
Problem Gambling Caucus to meet in January
Pennsylvania’s 2027 General Assembly will be gavelled in on January 5, which will mark the first time that the newly formed bipartisan caucus will meet. The session runs through the month of November, giving the group plenty of time to craft legislation next year.
