US Lawmakers Launch National Movement for Comprehensive Gambling Reform

A significant political shift is occurring in Washington, D.C., as lawmakers prepare to challenge the gambling industry's influence on American sports. On September 23, 2026, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Paul Tonko will join the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) and Families and Friends of Gamblers (FFOG) to launch Truth and Integrity: The Movement for Gambling Reform. This national movement aims to bring accountability and comprehensive federal regulation to an industry that has seen explosive growth with minimal oversight. The event, held at the Russell Senate Office Building, signals a bipartisan push for stricter consumer protections.

The movement focuses on the increasing financial entanglement between gambling companies, professional sports leagues, college athletics, and technology firms. Lawmakers argue that these ties have created a environment where gambling is omnipresent, turning every moment of a game into a betting opportunity. The movement has already garnered support from officials in states including Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Minnesota, Georgia, and Colorado, reflecting a broad consensus that current state-level regulations are insufficient to protect the public.

Numbers and facts

The initiative is rooted in legal action and legislative proposals. In March 2026, PHAI filed a landmark product liability lawsuit, Sage and Thompson v. DraftKings, Inc. et al., targeting DraftKings, FanDuel, Genius Sports, and the NFL. The lawsuit alleges that these entities profited from platforms designed to push addictive live in-game microbets. Dr. Harry Levant, PHAI’s Director of Gambling Policy, emphasizes that gambling disorder is an addiction comparable to opioids or tobacco, requiring a public health response rather than the current industry-led responsible gaming model.

"We will continue to gain bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. There is overwhelming evidence that we are in the midst of a mental-health and public-health crisis related to gambling addiction." - Dr. Harry Levant, Director of Gambling Policy at PHAI

Central to the legislative effort is the SAFE Bet Act, reintroduced by Tonko and Blumenthal in March 2025. This act seeks to establish minimum federal safety standards in three key areas: advertising, affordability, and the use of artificial intelligence. The bill aims to stop the "science of exploitation," where AI is used to track losing gamblers and entice them with predatory offers to bet more, often leading to financial and personal ruin.

Background

The human cost of the gambling boom is represented by Families and Friends of Gamblers (FFOG), founded in 2025. The organization shares harrowing stories, such as that of Andrew Douglas, whose addiction led to a suicide attempt on May 27, 2024. His family highlights how the 24/7 availability of mobile betting and relentless targeting by multiple gambling companies made the addiction impossible to escape. The movement seeks to treat gambling harm as a public health issue, moving away from placing the entire burden of responsibility on the individual gambler.

"This bill is a matter of public health. It is a matter of stopping addiction, saving lives, and making sure that young people particularly are protected against exploitation." - Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator

The movement plans to advance on three fronts: the federal level through investigative hearings and legislation; the state level through stronger enforcement; and the public level through advocacy. By comparing the gambling industry to big tobacco, reformers hope to shift the narrative and force professional sports leagues and the NCAA to reconsider their lucrative gambling partnerships.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, this U.S. movement highlights the global debate over how much regulation is necessary to prevent social harm. Germany is already ahead of the U.S. in many respects, having implemented the State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021). The strict deposit limits and the cross-operator blocking system (OASIS) used in Germany are exactly the types of "guardrails" Senator Blumenthal and Rep. Tonko are fighting for in the United States. German players benefit from a legal framework that prevents the kind of predatory AI-driven microbetting that is currently the subject of lawsuits in the U.S.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos licensed by the GGL (Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder) already operate under some of the world's strictest consumer protection rules. The U.S. movement for reform validates the German approach, showing that a lack of federal standards can lead to significant public health crises. For GGL-licensed operators, this serves as a reminder that compliance with advertising bans and deposit limits is not just a legal requirement but a vital part of maintaining long-term industry stability. As the U.S. looks toward a federal model, the German system remains a primary reference point for how to balance a commercial market with serious player protection.