Senator Blumenthal has introduced the Gambling Addiction Recovery and Treatment (GRIT) Act in response to the rising concerns surrounding problem gambling in the United States. The act aims to prevent sports betting companies from targeting problem gamblers and allocate federal funds to study and treat gambling addiction. Blumenthal emphasizes the urgent need to invest in treatment programs before the issue worsens, particularly among young Americans who are increasingly affected by the prevalence of gambling in society. The National Council on Problem Gambling sees an opportunity to pass the GRIT Act amidst heightened bipartisan interest in addressing sports betting-related problems.
Despite increasing legal betting markets in 37 states and other locations since a federal sports betting restriction was lifted six years ago, concerns about problem gambling persist in the industry. The American Gaming Association opposes the GRIT Act but is willing to collaborate with lawmakers to combat illegal gambling and address problem gambling in more favorable ways. While some, like blogger Ben Krauss, criticize the sports betting industry for making it too easy for bettors to lose money, others, such as DeBaun, argue that the industry is highly regulated with oversight from thousands of regulators nationwide to protect consumers and ensure fair competition.
The sports betting industry, which has been operating in a “Wild West, largely unregulated environment” since 2018 according to Tonko, has come under scrutiny following high-profile cases of gambling addiction such as the Ohtani scandal. The introduction of the GRIT Act by Senator Blumenthal has garnered support from the National Council on Problem Gambling, which sees an opportunity for bipartisan action in response to the issue. Despite the industry’s growth and increasing bets placed, concerns remain around the accessibility and potential harm caused by sports betting to vulnerable individuals, particularly as calls to gambling addiction hotlines rise in states like Florida.
Senator Blumenthal and advocates for the GRIT Act emphasize the urgency of addressing problem gambling and investing in treatment programs to prevent further escalation of the issue. By urging gambling companies to prioritize the safeguarding of bettors from addiction, Blumenthal seeks to hold the industry accountable for its role in addressing the silent epidemic of addiction affecting everyday Americans, especially young people. With bipartisan interest in addressing the negative impacts of sports betting, including addiction, advocacy groups and lawmakers are hopeful that the passing of the GRIT Act could lead to improved regulations and support mechanisms for problem gamblers nationwide.
The US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the federal statute restricting regulated sports betting to Nevada has led to the emergence of legal betting markets in various states, as well as increased industry revenue. Despite assertions by industry spokespersons that the sports betting industry is highly regulated and focused on consumer protection, concerns remain about the ease with which bettors can lose money and the lack of adequate support for those struggling with gambling addiction. The GRIT Act presents an opportunity for lawmakers to address these concerns and implement measures to protect vulnerable individuals from the negative consequences of problem gambling.
