Pennsylvania Bill Would Block Gambling Platforms in Schools
Pennsylvania Rep. Jason Ortitay introduced legislation requiring online gambling platforms to block their services in zones where schools are located.
It would apply to all schools from kindergarten through high school, but not colleges or other post-secondary institutions.
House Bill 2631
The legislation to block access is House Bill 2631, and six other Pennsylvania representatives co-sponsored it.
In a release announcing HB 2631, Ortitay said, “Our schools should be a place for learning, not a place to lose your future one bet at a time. The technology to stop this already exists.
"We are simply asking the operators who profit from gaming to make sure their products cannot be used by a child sitting in a classroom. This is common sense, and it is long overdue.”
Pennsylvania reported record revenue for online gambling in May.
Geofencing technology to block gambling platforms
The bill would place the responsibility for implementing geofencing technology on the online sportsbooks and casinos available in the state.
Around the school property, there would be a digital boundary within which online gambling platforms would not function. No online gambling platform would operate within the boundaries, regardless of who owns the online casino or sportsbook account.
In the release, Ortitay stated that while online gambling is legal for adults in the Keystone State, it was not meant to be available at schools. He argued that students are using accounts owned by their parents or other people of legal age to place bets on sports and casino games on school property.
Straightforward support
Ortitay added that he believes the bill has enough support to pass and is now with the House’s Gaming Oversight Committee.
His argument was straight to the point about who would support minors gambling online at schools.
“It’ll take some work and time to implement, but it can be done,” said Ortitay.
Working with Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Ortitay worked with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) to develop the legislation. He also noted that the bill is part of his ongoing consumer protection efforts regarding problem gambling.
As an example, he helped implement the gambling helpline 1-800-GAMBLER, which consolidated gambling resources into a simple-to-remember phone number.
How Council on Compulsive Gambling of PA responded
Josh Ercole, the executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling PA (CCGP), said the bill is a good start. However, he also said that blocking access to gambling platforms in schools is not enough, and more action needs to be taken.
Ercole argued that if the bill becomes law, it shows the need for geofencing, as kids are gambling at school. The geofencing would keep kids from gambling at school, but it doesn't deal with the main issues of underage gambling.
“If we’re not addressing it with any formal education or explanatory prevention messaging, then we’re missing a potential opportunity,” said Ercole.
