Pa. Reps. Khan and Flick introduce bipartisan online gambling bill, according to Khan's office

State Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and Jamie Flick, R-Lycoming/Union, announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation on online gambling addiction and industry practices, Khan's office said in a news release on Oct. 21. The release said the announcement came as Pennsylvania lawmakers launched a bipartisan Problem Gambling Caucus, of which Khan and Flick are both members.

According to the release, the bill builds on a statewide study commissioned through a 2025 resolution introduced by Khan and approved by the House 189-14, and released in July 2026. The release said the study found that 5.7% of online sports bettors accounted for 80% of gambling expenditures, and that at one sportsbook 0.5% of customers generated more than 70% of revenue through its VIP program.

The release said the bill would ban rapid-fire microbets and VIP programs that encourage excessive gambling, prohibit credit-card gambling and set deposit and loss limits, restrict gambling advertising aimed at minors and young adults, crack down on AI-driven promotions that target people vulnerable to gambling addiction, set limits on gambling time and prohibit automatic wagering, and fund addiction prevention, treatment and research through an assessment on online gambling revenue.

"Problem gambling ruins lives and destroys families," Khan said in the release. Flick said, "Kids today are growing up surrounded by sports betting advertisements and gambling apps." Khan also said the legislation is not intended to prohibit responsible recreational gambling: "People should be free to enjoy an occasional bet."