A group of bipartisan lawmakers is making a legislative effort to provide federal funding to support prevention, screening and treatment services for gambling addiction to the public.
Reps. Erin Houchin and Andrea Salinas have introduced House Bill 7875, legislation that aims to provide a pool of dedicated funding for people experiencing gambling-related harm and to support those who are at risk of problem gambling.
The Providing Opportunities for Individuals In Need of Treatment & Support (POINTS) Act aims to close a gap in addictive disorder treatment, as federal funding is allocated toward alcohol and drug addiction, but not gambling.
“As sports betting and online gambling continue to expand across the country, we have a responsibility to ensure people struggling with addiction are not left behind,” said Salinas. “Gambling addiction can devastate individuals and families, yet too many communities still lack the resources needed to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery support.”
The POINTS Act aims to amend the Public Health Service Act by allowing states and federally recognized tribes to establish a grant program that supports problem gambling prevention, screening and treatment.
Bill would use 1/3rd of revenue from federal betting tax
The grant program will provide access to outpatient and telehealth services and will be backed by funds from the existing federal excise tax on sports wagering, which currently stands at 0.25% of total handle, one-third of which will be allocated towards the POINTS Act.
The tax reallocation is projected to generate $100m annually for the grant programs. The POINTS Act creates federal funding for problem gambling prevention with no new taxes or hikes, and will also require an assessment of its effectiveness.
It mandates that a U.S. Assistant Secretary of State must submit annual reports to Congress on the effectiveness of the bill and whether to improve or expand the grant program.
Congress members expected to receive the reports include those on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the Committee of Appropriations from both chambers.
NCPG voices support for federal funding
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) endorsed the bill after a 2024 national survey found that nearly 20 million people reported problematic gambling behavior.
“The POINTS Act recognizes that gambling addiction is a public health issue requiring a coordinated national response,” said NCPG Executive Director Heather L. Maurer. “States and tribes need stable federal support to expand access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services. This legislation provides a responsible and sustainable funding mechanism to meet that need.”
In addition to the NCPG, the POINTS Act has also garnered support from Mental Health America of Indiana and the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling. The bill, introduced on Tuesday, has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for further consideration.
Congress makes history with federal military funding
Congress recently made history by passing the Defense Appropriations Act for FY2026, which provides federal funding for gambling-related harms research for the very first time.
It delivers funding for research into problem gambling for active and veteran military members through the Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). The PRMRP received $150m in funding from Congress in FY2025.
The latest version of the bill distributes $180m toward non-defense purposes. According to data provided by Sen. Ben Ray Luján, approximately $7m will be allocated toward the research, which has been supported by the NCPG, DraftKings and FanDuel.
