GAME Act Aims at Protecting Minors from Sports Betting Ads

^{Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Katie Britt believe young boys are being targeted by sports betting companies. (Photo: Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call via AP)} 

Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced the Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement (GAME) Act on Monday, adding to the list of proposed legislation that would impact the sports betting industry at the federal level.

The GAME Act would prohibit social media platforms and websites from allowing sports betting advertisements to be served to children or teenagers.

Senators Say Young Boys Targeted by Betting Companies

In a statement supporting the legislation, the senators cited a 2024 study that should that those who start gambling before age 18 are 50 percent more likely to develop gambling problems than the general population. Earlier this year, a study from Common Sense Media found that 36 percent of boys aged 11 to 17 in the United States had gambled in the past year, and found that many boys were getting exposed to gambling content online via social media and video games without even seeking it out.

“The rise in sports gambling among minors, particularly among young boys, is jarring,” Britt said in a statement. “We know targeted advertising from gambling and prediction market websites can serve as the gateway to dangerous habits that too often become crippling addictions.”

Blumenthal has been an outspoken critic of the growing sports betting industry. He was one of the lead sponsors of the SAFE Bet Act that would place federal regulations on sportsbooks across the U.S., and recently called on major sports organizations in the U.S. to provide details of their relationships with gambling firms.

In a statement, Blumenthal accused sportsbooks of actively targeting young Americans.

“Sportsbooks and prediction markets are treating young people like a gold rush, flooding the internet with advertisements and promotions to hook them on gambling while they’re young,” Blumenthal said.

The GAME Act would provide mechanisms for the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the advertising rules, with civil penalties and referrals to the Department of Justice possible for repeat offenders.

Wednesday Hearing to Talk Gambling, Sports Integrity

The introduction of the GAME Act comes days before the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee is scheduled to hold a Wednesday hearing on “the rapid expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and its growing impact on the integrity of games.”

“Fans shouldn’t have to wonder if their favorite player missed a buzzer-beater or dropped a touchdown pass because of a secret bet,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who chairs the committee, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, recent episodes have planted that seed of doubt and raised questions about whether changes are necessary to integrity in sports.”

Cruz didn’t mention any specific incidents, but recent integrity issues have included accusations of pitch bet manipulation by two former Cleveland Guardians pitchers, points shaving and prop bet manipulation scandals in the NBA and college basketball, and the NCAA investigation into Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who has entered a treatment program for gambling addiction.

Some experts say cases like Sorsby are a direct result of the ubiquitous advertising for online sports betting throughout media.

“You have a perfect storm of a product out there that’s in your face constantly, cash in your pocket, potentially from an NIL deal, and a lack of financial literacy,” Matthew Bakowicz, a former operations official for DraftKings at Foxwoods Resort Casino, told The Hill. “You never want to see a kid’s life get ruined by a mistake, but without strict penalties and regulation, you’re going to have repeat situations like this.”