Sponsors (2)
The bill directs federal research, reporting, and guidance to improve recognition, treatment, and prevention of gambling disorder—benefiting patients, researchers, and public health—while imposing explicit short-term taxpayer costs and raising the prospect of regulatory pressure on gambling businesses and tensions with state revenue interests.
People with gambling disorder would gain greater federal recognition and likely access to better-targeted treatments and interventions based on new research and policy attention.
State and local public health agencies and communities would receive clearer federal guidance and evidence on harms (including from mobile/online gambling), helping coordinate prevention and treatment programs and inform local policy decisions.
Researchers, academic institutions, and nonprofits would receive federal funding, partnerships, and increased capacity to study gambling disorder, supporting science, workforce development, and potential future services.
Taxpayers could face increased federal costs: a specified recurring transfer tied to gambling receipts for FY2027–FY2029 (10% of prior-year receipts) plus the possibility of additional federal programs or spending later if research prompts new initiatives.
Recreational gamblers and gambling-related businesses (including small operators) could face new regulatory scrutiny or recommendations to restrict products/platforms, reducing industry revenue and altering consumer access to certain gambling options.
Federal research priorities, definitions, and recommendations could influence state regulatory approaches and create tension with states and localities that rely on gambling revenue, potentially harming state budgets and rural communities dependent on that income.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates an HHS research program on gambling disorder, requires reports to Congress, and authorizes funding tied to a percentage of certain tax receipts for FY2027–FY2029.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct research to advance the understanding of gambling disorder, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 21, 2026 by Daniel Goldman · Last progress May 21, 2026
Creates a new HHS research program to study gambling disorder, its causes, effects, and treatment, and requires reports to Congress. Funds are authorized for FY2027–FY2029 tied to a share of specified tax receipts and made available until expended.