A state representative in Pennsylvania says he will soon file a bill that would restrict anyone on school property from accessing licensed online gambling apps.
Republican Rep. Jason Ortitay announced on Tuesday that he has authored the legislation with the intent of trying to shield students from online sports betting and casino gaming. He has not officially filed the bill as of the time of writing, but intends to do so in the near future.
The legislation would require licensed online sportsbooks and casinos to use what the lawmaker called “geospatial technologies” to prevent players from accessing the apps or sites while physically located on school property, including:
- Classrooms
- Other buildings
- Exterior school grounds
“Pennsylvania has authorized interactive gaming and sports wagering under a licensed and regulated framework,” Ortitay wrote. “That framework was built for adults making lawful choices. It was never intended to reach into our classrooms. Yet the reality today is that a student can sit in a classroom or stand on a playground and, using a smartphone, access online gaming and sports betting platforms. In some cases, minors are using a parent’s account and credentials to do so.”
PA Rep. wants stricter geolocation
The legislator said he was motivated to work on the “common-sense protection” bill by the story of a young Pennsylvania man who developed a gambling addiction while he was a student, one which ultimately cost him his life. “
His father has asked that we act so that no other family endures what his family has endured,” Ortitay wrote. “As he told me, if this legislation helps even one person, it is worth it. I agree. This bill is for Ray.”
Licensed operators in Pennsylvania are already required to work with geolocation service providers to ensure that people outside of the state cannot access their Pennsylvania-facing site. Regulated operators also employ age and identity verification and other tools to ensure that excluded groups such as underage residents and visitors are not able to access their apps to bet on sports or casino games.
Ortitay wants to take things further by implementing a blanket ban on online gambling access on school property.
Colorado inspires Pennsylvania player protection bills
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania, two other state representatives recently announced a package of bills that are intended to curb problem gambling and strengthen player safeguards in the Keystone State.
Reps. Tarik Khan and Jamie Flick noted that their efforts are inspired by the recent legislation that was signed into law in Colorado by Gov. Jared Polis.
Khan and Flick’s bills include:
- The Pennsylvania Online Consumer Protection Act, which encompasses measures such as imposing deposit limits and banning sportsbooks from delivering push notifications and texts for marketing
- A House companion bill to Senate Bill 265, which proposes a legislative ban on the use of credit cards for online gambling
- A bill that would ban gambling operators from sending marketing materials to members of the state’s self-exclusion list
“Too many young people are being exposed to online gambling through constant advertising and unprecedented access from their phones and devices,” said Flick. “These bills are about putting reasonable safeguards in place, promoting responsible gaming and helping ensure that young people and families are protected from gambling-related harm.”
