Pennsylvania lawmakers may soon consider a measure that would require licensed online gambling companies to send users monthly statements detailing their activity automatically.
State Rep. Joe Webster, a Democrat representing House District 150, circulated the proposal on Sept. 16, indicating that a bill is forthcoming. As of Oct. 2, no bill has been introduced.
While it may sound like beefing up consumer protection, the idea has major shortcomings.
Between the Lines
Monthly statements may help some gamblers better understand their activity, but the bill still keeps the burden on users of potentially addictive betting products. Former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams recently compared betting apps to opioids, calling sports gambling a “crisis.”
For the proposed bill, Webster cited a 2025 Australian study funded by the gambling industry. Still, the paper found only a very limited impact from activity statements.
“There was no discernible evidence that receiving activity statements was related to changes in daily betting frequency or deposit amounts outside of some minor changes seen only in those with moderate-high risk PGSI scores,” the paper said.
Although some participants reported reducing their gambling, the researchers cautioned that the self-reported change could be inaccurate and “impacted by biases.”
Webster appeared to overstate the survey’s findings in his memo: “According to a University of Sydney study, the statements helped the most severe problem gamblers make a positive change in their behavior.”
Webster described his proposal as a “transparency” measure.
Why It Matters
Political pressure to reform Pennsylvania online gambling is mounting, but policy proposals must not be superficial.
According to Webster’s memo, calls and texts to Pennsylvania’s problem gambling hotline involving online casino or sports betting increased more than 300% between 2021 and 2024. During fiscal year 2024-25, 37% of hotline calls involved internet gambling.
Pennsylvania self-exclusions are also spiking.
The Keystone State is part of a national crisis involving sports gambling, according to public health experts.
New York is on the verge of becoming the only U.S. state to require online betting operators to provide gamblers with monthly win/loss activity statements. Legislation has passed both chambers in Albany and could become law.
