The Impact of Pennsylvania’s Credit Card Gambling Ban | Point Spreads

Pennsylvania may soon join several other states that have banned the use of credit cards to fund gambling accounts. The bill proposed by Sen. Wayne Fontana and six others was sent to the Community, Economic & Recreational Development committee. It was no surprise to see a Pennsylvania credit card gambling ban bill. Fontana had made his intentions clear about the bill in March. Under the bill, debit cards are permissible. Fontana is primarily concerned with people that have wagered money they don’t have.

“We know that gambling can become addictive,” Fontana said. “And that’s what you’re describing is addictive behavior, if you’re getting multiple credit cards to max out.”

Of the seven bill sponsors, Sen. Lisa Baker is the lone Republican. She has sponsored 163 bills and resolutions this Legislative session. Fontana wrote to his colleagues in the Senate on March 6 looking for co-sponsors of the bill and had a fair response.

“In fact, over 36% of online gaming participants in the commonwealth reported at least one gambling problem according to the 2022 Online Gaming Report produced by Pennsylvania State University in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs as well as the state’s Gaming Control Board,” he wrote. “With the average Pennsylvanian having a credit card balance that exceeds $5,640, online gaming should not be another scenario to accumulate more debt.”

The Pennsylvania credit card gambling ban would impact fantasy sports, online sports betting, casino games, and iLottery games. If the bill passes, Pennsylvania will join Tennessee, Iowa, and Massachusetts in prohibiting the use of credit cards to fund gambling activities.

Other Countries Ban Credit Cards For Gambling

The United States may be a bit late to the party as it pertains to betting online. Many other countries have long had legalized gambling and have already banned credit cards to fund accounts. Great Britain implemented its credit card ban in April 2020.

‘“We also know that there are examples of consumers who have accumulated tens of thousands of pounds of debt through gambling because of credit card availability,” then-Gambling Commission chief executive Neil McArthur said when the ban was announced.

McArthur said he realized many people used their credit cards responsibly. He thought the benefit to those who acted impulsively was worth a bit of inconvenience. The credit card ban was one of several measure taken to curtail problem gambling.

“The ban is part of our ongoing work to reduce gambling harm,” McArthur said. ” We also need to continue the work we have been doing with gambling operators and the finance industry to ensure consumers only gamble with money they can afford to spend.”

Australia’s credit card gambling ban passed in December. The concept was first discussed in December 2019, so it took four years to come to fruition. Responsible Wagering Australia CEO Kai Cantwell said the move was overdue.

“This is an important measure to protect customers and their loved ones, making it easier for people to stay in control of their own gambling behavior,” she said.

Pennsylvania credit card gambling ban is up in the air regarding passage. Fontana said it may not pass, but he’ll bring it up again next year if needed.

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