Lawmakers introduce bipartisan POINTS Act targeting gambling addiction treatment funding

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Lawmakers introduce bipartisan POINTS Act targeting gambling addiction treatment funding. Young devastated businessman losing poker game at casino, gambling addiction

A bunch of Republican and Democratic lawmakers within the U.S. Home has rolled out new laws designed to broaden prevention, remedy and restoration providers for individuals fighting gambling addiction. The proposal is alleged to be one of the vital important federal makes an attempt in additional than a decade to handle the rising public well being issues tied to legalized betting.

The measure known as the Offering Alternatives for People in Want of Remedy and Assist (POINTS) Act of 2026. Rep. Erin Houchin of Indiana launched the invoice with Reps. Andrea Salinas of Oregon, Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa and Troy Carter of Louisiana throughout Downside Playing Consciousness Month.

If accepted by Congress, the laws would create a devoted stream of federal funding for playing habit providers by redirecting a share of present sports activities wagering tax income. Lawmakers say the strategy would fund prevention, screening, intervention and remedy applications with out creating new taxes.

“Playing habit can quietly devastate households,” Houchin stated in a statement asserting the invoice. “The monetary injury and emotional pressure usually construct over time and have an effect on excess of the particular person inserting the guess. I’ve seen how these penalties can influence family members and communities.”

Downside playing can devastate households and communities. At the moment, I launched the bipartisan POINTS Act with @RepMMM, @RepSalinas, and @RepTroyCarter to direct present federal sports activities wagering tax income towards prevention, remedy, and restoration providers for these struggling…

— Congresswoman Erin Houchin (@RepHouchin) March 10, 2026

She additionally pointed to the surge of authorized sports activities betting and on-line playing markets throughout the nation as a purpose policymakers should tackle the dangers that may accompany growth. “The POINTS Act directs present federal gaming income towards prevention, remedy, and restoration applications to assist individuals get again on their toes.”

Federal playing habit funding proposal underneath the POINTS Act good points momentum

Supporters say the proposal would set up the primary federal funding stream particularly devoted to tackling playing habit. The invoice would redirect one third of the federal excise tax on sports activities wagers, presently set at 0.25 p.c of betting deal with, which advocates estimate may generate roughly 100 million {dollars} every year.

The funding would assist states, tribal governments and tribal organizations develop or broaden providers geared toward prevention, remedy and restoration. Grants administered by means of the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers may assist screening applications for well being care suppliers, public training campaigns, telehealth remedy choices and peer assist networks, together with helplines and actual time disaster providers.

The proposal arrives as a number of organizations warn that present assist techniques are already underneath pressure. The Nationwide Council on Downside Playing (NCPG) not too long ago introduced it could actually no longer operate the national problem gambling hotline after federal funding adjustments, drawing consideration to the gaps within the nation’s remedy infrastructure.

Issues have additionally been raised in regards to the broader social influence of rapidly expanding digital betting platforms. Analysts say on-line playing and cell sports activities wagering are growing monetary dangers for some customers, notably youthful adults who now have fixed entry to betting apps.

Lawmakers have additionally begun inspecting playing harms inside particular populations. Latest Senate discussions have explored how problem gambling may affect members of the U.S. military, with researchers warning that service members may face elevated dangers on account of stress and monetary pressures.

Rep. Andrea Salinas stated the POINTS Act is meant to ensure assist providers develop alongside the trade itself.

“As sports activities betting and on-line playing proceed to broaden throughout the nation, now we have a accountability to make sure individuals fighting habit aren’t left behind,” Salinas stated. “The POINTS Act helps shut that hole by investing present playing excise tax income into applications that broaden care, increase consciousness, and join individuals to the assistance they want.”

The Nationwide Council on Downside Playing endorsed the laws and described it as a significant step towards treating playing habit as a nationwide public well being subject.

“The POINTS Act acknowledges that playing habit is a public well being subject requiring a coordinated nationwide response,” said Heather L. Maurer, the group’s government director. “States and tribes want steady federal assist to broaden entry to prevention, remedy and restoration providers.”

If the measure turns into legislation, funding would start in fiscal 12 months 2027, and federal companies could be required to report back to Congress every year on how the grant program is performing.

Featured picture: Canva

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