This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to run a research program to advance the understanding of gambling disorder. The program may be carried out directly by HHS or through agreements with public or nonprofit entities. The bill lists research objectives including the history and earliest cases of gambling disorder; long-term psychological, social, economic, and behavioral impacts; effects of mobile, online, and app-based gambling technologies; effects of related technology-mediated activities such as video games and virtual reality; contributing factors and policy implications including sports betting legalization; potential interventions and treatments; demographic analyses of who is affected; and comparisons with other developed countries’ regulatory and public health approaches. HHS must consult with the National Institutes of Health, the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, the Comptroller General, and the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, and collaborate with other federal and state agencies, academic institutions, and relevant organizations. Not later than 2 years after enactment, and annually thereafter, HHS must report to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on research progress, findings, and recommendations. The bill defines "gambling disorder" consistent with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) and lists types of gambling covered. It also includes findings about the DSM classification, a lack of a designated Federal agency for gambling disorder research, and the expansion of sports betting after the 2018 Supreme Court decision. The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
If enacted, HHS would carry out focused research and produce annual reports about gambling disorder. The research would look at causes, effects, technologies linked to gambling, who is affected, and possible treatments or prevention strategies. The reports to Congress would include recommendations for further research, public health actions, treatments, prevention, and public policies.
The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2027 through 2029. Each year it authorizes an amount equal to 10 percent of the amount estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury as equal to the taxes received under Internal Revenue Code section 4401(a)(1) during the preceding fiscal year. Such sums shall remain available until expended. No specific dollar amounts are stated in the bill text.
The bill’s findings state that gambling disorder is recognized as a behavioral addiction in the DSM-5-TR, that no Federal agency has been designated to fund and guide national research and programs on gambling disorder, and that greater access to sports betting since the 2018 Supreme Court decision has increased gambling availability and industry revenue. Supporters would present the bill as addressing a research and resource gap and as a way to develop evidence for prevention, treatment, and policy responses.
No publicly available information.