Pennsylvania: Senator behind bill to ban credit cards for online gambling feels obligation ‘to try to deter addiction’

Thursday, May 2, 2024 2:34 PM
  • Pennsylvania
  • Gary Rotstein, Casino Reports

When Pennsylvania Sen. Wayne Fontana and his legislative colleagues voted in 2017 to expand the state’s legalized gambling — most notably into an array of online options — no one spoke about the potential for massive credit card debt among those addicted to the easily accessible play.

Seven years later, Fontana has started that discussion.

The longtime Democratic lawmaker from suburban Pittsburgh last month introduced Senate Bill 1159, which would ban use of credit cards to fund accounts used for online casinos, online sports betting, fantasy sports contests, and the state’s iLottery.

Fontana has no intent to reduce the gambling options themselves, including the ability to use debit cards, PayPal, and other means of funding them, but he told Casino Reports he’s concerned about people getting in over their heads with money they don’t have.