Latest articles
SAFE Bet Act: Rep. Tonko Resumes Push for Federal Involvement in Online Gambling
Paul Tonko, a federal House Representative from New York, has renewed his effort to get the federal government involved in regulated online gambling with a new bill for 2024, the SAFE Bet Act. That acronym—Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every (Bet)—makes for catchier branding than last year’s BOFA, the Betting on Our Future Act. In terms of spirit, though, […]
More Pennsylvanians Using Text Messages & Online Chat for Problem Gambling Help, 2023 Data Shows
Last year, Pennsylvanians increasingly sought problem gambling help via text and online chat, according to data from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania (CCGP). CCGP is responsible for promoting and monitoring 1-800-GAMBLER helpline use in the state. Ahead of the release of its annual report, CCGP shared its call data with Bonus and PlayUSA. In addition […]
DraftKings’ Data-Driven RG Empowerment Tool ‘My Stat Sheet’ Met With Cautious Optimism
My Stat Sheet, a new tool unveiled by DraftKings to promote responsible gambling, offers players access to personal gaming statistics and insights. Specifically, the new feature allows DraftKings customers to assess, track, and interact with their personalized gaming stats. DraftKings said the tool’s intuitive charts and accompanying information will help “empower players to make data-driven […]
New York Senate Committee Advances Gaming Bills, Including Boost to State Funding for Problem Gambling
The New York State Senate’s Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee approved a plan to boost state funding for problem gambling treatment, advancing that bill alongside two others related to gaming. All three bills will now proceed to the Senate floor. Committee chair Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. kicked off the Tuesday meeting by acknowledging March […]
Connecticut Report on Gambling Impact Shows Overreliance on Problem Gambling Spend
Those at risk of or suffering from gambling addiction account for the lion’s share of gambling revenue, according to worrisome findings by Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addictions Services (DMHAS). The researchers found that the highest-risk segments of gamblers make up less than 7% of the state population yet account for over 70% of Connecticut […]
New Jersey Gambler Sam Antar Appeals to Third Circuit to Consider His Case Against BetMGM
Self-described gambling addiction sufferer Sam Antar will appeal the Jan. 31 dismissal of his lawsuit accusing BetMGM and Borgata Online of predatory practices leading him to lose millions of dollars. On Feb. 26, his lawyer, Matthew Pitt, filed a notice to appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, asking the case to be […]
West Virginia’s Mandatory Data Sharing Bill Reaches Second Reading
A West Virginia bill that would compel gambling operators to share data with West Virginia University (WVU) researchers passed its first reading in the house on Monday after advancing from the Judiciary Committee last week. The legislation’s second reading will happen on Tuesday, with the third following Wednesday. Rep. Shawn Fluharty, the bill’s co-sponsor (alongside […]
Researchers Argue Integrated Player-Tracking Best Approach to Challenge Problem Gambling Harms
Gambling operators track players’ activity in detail for marketing purposes, so why shouldn’t regulators do the same to mitigate the industry’s harmful impacts? A recent opinion piece in the peer-reviewed journal Addiction argues that universal player-tracking systems could help regulators or other organizations tasked with harm reduction. The authors—Dr. Philip Newall of the University of […]
Latest Student Loan Forgiveness May Not Free Up Discretionary Spending for Online Gambling
Many gamblers are saddled with student loan debt, but the $1.2 billion student loan forgiveness plan that came into effect on Feb. 21 may not have much impact on discretionary spending at online casinos. That’s because many of the 153,000 borrowers benefitting from the forgiveness are in income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. The connection between gambling activity […]
West Virginia Responsible Gaming and Research Act Would Require Gambling Operators to Share Data With Researchers
West Virginia is considering legislation that would compel gambling operators to share data with academics for responsible gaming research purposes. It’s a move that harm reduction advocates have been calling for, and the Mountain State now has a chance to lead the way. HB5668 appeared in the House on Feb. 13, aiming to create the West Virginia Responsible […]
