New Bill Proposed for Federal Study on Gambling Addiction
Representatives Dan Goldman from New York and Blake Moore from Utah have put forward a bipartisan bill called the Gambling Disorder Health Study Act. This legislation aims to require the federal government to conduct a thorough, multi-year investigation into the causes, progression, and long-term effects of gambling addiction.
Why Is a New Study Necessary?
Since the 2018 US Supreme Court ruling that allowed states to legalize sports betting, the gambling industry has seen rapid growth. Sports betting has become mainstream, drawing millions of new participants and significantly increasing industry revenues. In 2025, commercial gaming in the US hit a record high of $78.72 billion, marking a 9.2% increase from the previous year.
However, this growth has raised concerns about the negative consequences of gambling. Over 25% of Americans now have active online sportsbook accounts, including more than half of men aged 18 to 49. Additionally, about one-third of men in this age group engage in online event-based prediction markets for sports wagering.
As betting participation rises, so do worries about addiction and mental health impacts. Online searches for gambling addiction support have increased by 23% since 2018, and it is estimated that 2 to 3% of Americans meet criteria for gambling disorder. Academic institutions like the University of Maryland have also highlighted the growing prevalence of gambling problems.
Despite these concerns, federal attention on gambling addiction remains limited. Although gambling disorder is recognized as a behavioral addiction in the DSM-5, no federal agency currently leads or funds comprehensive national research on this issue. This lack of focus is striking given the widespread availability of gambling and the federal government’s revenue from gambling taxes.
Objectives of the Proposed Legislation
The bill calls for a thorough examination of gambling disorder including its causes, demographics affected, progression, and lasting consequences. It would also evaluate the success of prevention, treatment, and intervention methods as well as study policy questions linked to the rise of gambling, such as sports betting legalization, increased media exposure, and other social and economic influences.
The study would produce annual progress reports for Congress and offer policy recommendations based on its findings.
Funding for the research would come from allocating 10% of federal excise tax revenue collected from state-approved sports betting, sustained for up to three fiscal years.
Supporters Speak Out on the Issue
Representative Dan Goldman emphasized that gambling addiction represents an escalating public health crisis, especially for young men. He stressed that the federal government should address gambling addiction with the same urgency given to other addictions. He described the bill as a crucial initial measure to better understand the effects of always-available online gambling platforms and to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies. Goldman also urged Congress to actively support the bill to combat gambling addiction.
Representative Blake Moore highlighted how the rapid expansion of sports betting and prediction markets has created new challenges related to gambling addiction. He said it’s vital for policymakers and the public to gain deeper insight into the causes and impacts of problem gambling. Moore argued that the bill would provide essential research needed to formulate effective solutions and respond to the growing issue of gambling addiction.
