Pennsylvania State Senator Opposing Use of Credit Cards for Gambling

In recent news, the State Senator of Pennsylvania, Wayne D. Fontana, has proposed legislation that, if passed, would ban the use of credit cards for all gambling activities within the state of Pennsylvania. Senator Fontana will be proposing this bill to the Pennsylvania State Congress and its main purpose is to address concerns over individuals gaining access to credit, via credit cards, while betting. If the bill is approved, it will impact all forms of gambling in the state. Extending beyond traditional in-person betting, it will also restrict credit card use when betting on sports, daily fantasy sports, online casino gaming, and iLottery.

The bill has the potential to impact the state’s gambling revenue, credit card companies, betting platforms, and players. Credit cards are one of the most used ways to pay for gaming, due to their convenience and wide acceptance, so banning them will be a big change for the industry in Pennsylvania. Nick Pappas notes that the best credit card casinos accept a wide range of cards, from Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Limiting these options may have huge impacts on the state’s betting industry. Some people are for the change, while others are against it. Let’s explore Fontana’s initiative and how it will affect betting in the Keystone State if passed.

State Senator's Initiative:

Senator Fontana’s bill is similar to initiatives that have been seen in other states in the US recently. States like Tennessee, Iowa, and Massachusetts have all either had similar bills proposed or approved, banning the use of credit cards for gambling within their state lines.

The trend doesn’t stop in the US, either. Beyond the United States, other countries have also begun banning credit cards for gambling use. For example, the UK implemented very similar restrictions limiting credit card use for gambling in 2019. In addition, Sweden is currently in talks about this hot topic as well, deciding if they should continue allowing credit cards for gambling or not. In Australia, the government is taking steps towards banning credit cards for gambling as well.
Although it’s clear that there is a current trend leading states in the US and even countries around the world to consider banning credit cards for gambling, Pennsylvania has been seen as a state with a strong gambling industry for years, so it is an especially interesting proposed change in the Keystone State.

The Current State of Gambling in Pennsylvania:

Pennsylvania has a booming gambling industry, with a large number of betting options for visitors and locals alike. In 2023 the state reported gambling revenue of 5.7 billion, which was a 9.3% increase from 2022.

The state has both in-person traditional casinos and online options. Online gambling was legalized in the state in 2017, which thus allowed online casino betting, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports betting. Since its legalization, online gambling has seen rapid growth in the state. There has been an increasing number of not only players but also operators who are entering the market in order to keep up with the growing consumer demand.

Currently, bettors are allowed to use credit cards to gamble in Pennsylvania. However, that could all change with Senator Fontana’s proposed bill. The use of credit cards is currently left up to the gambler and the betting site. Some betting sites accept credit cards, while others don’t. Similarly, some bettors enjoy using credit cards to wager, while others prefer different payment methods.

Because of the Senators proposed legislation, credit cards for gambling may see heightened scrutiny and possible restrictions. If the bill is passed, then sites will have to stop accepting credit cards as forms of payment, and players who prefer to pay with credit cards may end up turning to offshore sites or choosing another payment method. However, until the bill’s outcome is known, players are still allowed to bet using credit cards for now.

Arguments For and Against:

The Senator’s bill has some individuals supporting it, and some against it. For many, supporting the ban on credit card gambling is a way to help people avoid accumulating too much debt and support responsible gambling behavior at the same time. For individuals in favor of the ban, the main pros are:

• Protective Measure: Supporters of the credit card gambling ban argue that banning credit card use may help individuals avoid gathering too much debt. The ban on using credit to gamble would protect players from risky behavior that may lead to overwhelming financial burdens.
• Promotes Responsible Gambling: Removing credit cards as a payment gateway for betting would promote balanced betting. Many believe that by only betting what players have on hand, and not using lines of credit via credit cards, bettors may enjoy a more balanced betting experience.

On the other hand, many are strongly against the proposal. They believe that banning credit cards for gambling is taking away a normal choice that any consumer should be able to make for themselves. In addition, it will have an impact on the state’s tax revenue, betting sites, and more. For those against the ban, the main negatives they see unfolding if the bill passes are:

• Consumer Choice and Convenience: One of the main reasons many are against the ban is that individuals believe choosing how to pay should be a personal choice and not a government initiative.
• Merits of Credit Cards: Many gamers prefer using credit cards because they’re easy to use and widely accepted. If they’re banned, then players will have to turn to other less preferred payment types.
• State Revenue: The state’s tax revenue could be impacted by the ban. If less money is generated from gambling in the state due to the ban, then the state stands to earn less in taxes, which usually support public projects and infrastructure.
• Effectiveness of Measures: Critics question if banning credit cards will truly promote healthier gambling habits.

What to Expect Next

Individuals interested in the outcome in Pennsylvania will need to wait to see if Senator Fontana’s bill is passed, or not. In the meantime, bettors can expect:

• Constructive Dialogue: There will likely be constructive dialogue and updates surrounding Fontana’s bill. Interested individuals can watch the news, read articles online, or listen to podcasts to stay up to date as the legislation unfolds.
• Effective Strategies: Policymakers will likely focus on implementing effective strategies to reduce the potential harms associated with gambling while preserving the integrity of the gaming industry.
• Continued Monitoring: Even after the bill is passed, or not, it’s likely that policymakers will continue to monitor the effectiveness of their decisions and make adjustments as needed.

As we progress into 2024 and beyond, it’s likely that bettors will see an increase in legislation surrounding safe betting practices. In Pennsylvania and beyond, governments are working to protect their residents and provide safe betting environments for players.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com