TLDR Senators Britt and Blumenthal introduced the GAME Act to ban digital platforms from targeting gambling ads at minors Violators could face fines up to $100,000 per ad shown to a minor, enforced by the FTC and DOJ A study found 59% of adolescent boys who gamble said gambling content appeared in their feeds without them searching for it The bill focuses on targeted digital advertising, not broad TV broadcasts or incidental exposure Research linked to the bill shows people who start gambling before 18 are more likely to develop gambling problems later
A new bipartisan Senate bill wants to stop gambling companies from targeting kids with online ads. The Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement Act, or GAME Act, was introduced by Senators Katie Britt and Richard Blumenthal.
The bill would make it illegal for digital platforms to direct gambling advertisements toward minors. Companies that break the rules could face fines of up to $100,000 for every single ad shown to a minor.
The Federal Trade Commission would be in charge of enforcement. The Department of Justice could also go after repeat offenders.
How Gambling Ads Are Reaching Kids Online
Since the Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, the industry has grown rapidly. Betting promotions now show up on TV broadcasts, podcasts, YouTube channels, and social media.
Lawmakers say children are being pulled into this environment before they are old enough to legally bet. Much of the concern centers on how algorithms work on social media and other platforms.
Studies referenced by the senators paint a troubling picture. One found that 45 percent of adolescent boys who gamble reported seeing gambling content online. Even more concerning, 59 percent said the content appeared in their feeds without them searching for it.
Another study