A Pennsylvania state Senator from the Democratic Party is proposing legislation to ban the use of credit cards for gambling.
Sen. Wayne D. Fontana is set to introduce the legislation to the Pennsylvania state Congress. The bill targets the use of credit cards for various forms of gambling, including sports betting, daily fantasy contests, iLottery, and online casino gaming.
Sen. Fontana has stated that his main objective with the legislation is to address problem gambling in Pennsylvania, particularly following the introduction of online betting and gaming platforms in the state after the repeal of Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) in 2018.
Speaking of his proposal Fontana said:
“Online gaming and sports betting is growing exponentially, especially with young adults. At the same time, credit card debt is climbing. So we need to make sure the greater access to gambling isn’t leading to burdensome or crippling credit card balances.”
The timing of Sen. Fontana’s proposal aligns with National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a month-long campaign aimed at raising awareness about gambling-related harm and providing support resources.
PA Following Iowa’s Lead
If approved by state Congress, Fontana’s bill would make Pennsylvania one of several states, including Iowa, Tennessee, and Massachusetts, to prohibit the use of credit cards for gambling purposes.
Explaining Iowa’s stance in 2022, Sen. Tony Bisignano stated that allowing credit card use for gambling could lead to unsustainable debts, potentially harming families and individuals.
Given Pennsylvania’s significant presence in the U.S. online gaming market, with over $858.1 million in sports betting wagers accepted in January alone, a move to ban credit card use could have a significant impact on wagering activity and revenues.
In states like Iowa, where credit card bans are already in place, betting companies have faced fines for violating these regulations. Similarly, operators in Massachusetts and Tennessee have encountered legal challenges due to their prohibition of credit card gambling payments.
The prohibition of credit card payments for online gaming is not limited to North America; the UK implemented similar measures in 2019, and Sweden is considering similar laws. Australia is also moving towards banning credit card use as part of broader federal gambling law reforms.
Based in London, Natasha is a former sports journalist with experience working for some of the biggest athletes & brands in the world of sports and iGaming.