Bipartisan senators target sports betting ads reaching minors

"Sens. Katie Britt and Richard Blumenthal rolled out bipartisan legislation Monday (May 18) aimed at stopping online platforms from directing sports betting advertisements toward minors. The proposal, called the Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement Act, or GAME Act, would apply to social media companies and digital advertising networks that promote sportsbooks and prediction markets."

"The legislation would apply to major digital platforms with more than 100 million monthly users, including social media companies, search engines, and online advertising networks. The bill also specifically bans gambling ads targeted through behavioral profiling, device tracking, personal data, or precise geolocation information tied to minors, while still allowing broader contextual advertising not based on user-specific data."

"Lawmakers from both parties have been pushing for tighter federal oversight of the online gambling industry. Recent congressional efforts have included renewed attention on the SAFE Bet Act, a separate proposal that would add consumer protections, advertising restrictions, and affordability checks for sports bettors."

""The rise in sports gambling among minors, particularly among young boys, is jarring," said Senator Britt in a press release. "We know targeted advertising from gambling and prediction market websites can serve as the gateway to dangerous habits that too often become crippli"

Bipartisan legislation would stop online platforms from directing sports betting and prediction market advertisements toward minors. The Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement Act (GAME Act) would apply to social media companies and digital advertising networks that promote sportsbooks and prediction markets. The bill would cover major digital platforms with more than 100 million monthly users, including social media companies, search engines, and online advertising networks. It would ban gambling ads targeted through behavioral profiling, device tracking, personal data, or precise geolocation information tied to minors. The bill would still allow broader contextual advertising that is not based on user-specific data. Lawmakers cite rising concern about minors encountering gambling promotions online.

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