Sponsors (4)
The bill expands federal support for prevention, screening, and treatment of gambling disorder—targeting high-need and underserved communities and broadening service delivery—while relying on variable, tax-linked funding and competitive grant processes that could leave under-resourced areas underfunded and programs vulnerable to budget fluctuations.
People at risk of or experiencing gambling addiction gain increased access to prevention, screening, and treatment services through federal grants to states and tribes.
Healthcare providers and underserved populations benefit as grants support provider training, telehealth, helplines, peer-support, and integration of screening/treatment into primary care and Health Professional Shortage Areas, expanding service modalities and reach into rural areas.
Native American communities and other disproportionately impacted groups are prioritized for funding, increasing the likelihood of culturally appropriate services where need is high.
Programs and people relying on these grants face funding instability because grant dollars are tied to a specific Treasury excise tax revenue that can fluctuate and decline.
Under-resourced states, tribes, and rural communities may be disadvantaged by application and administrative requirements, making it harder for them to win grants and access services.
Because the law prioritizes (but does not guarantee) funding, some needy communities or programs could be left without grants, creating service gaps for vulnerable populations.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal competitive grant program to expand prevention, screening, treatment, and support services for clinical gambling addiction, prioritizing impacted communities and shortage areas.
Introduced March 9, 2026 by Erin Houchin · Last progress March 9, 2026
Creates a new federal grant program to help states, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations build or expand prevention, screening, assessment, intervention, and treatment services for people with clinical gambling addiction. Grants may fund provider training, prevention and outreach, specialized outpatient and telehealth treatment, peer support groups, helplines linked to the national problem gambling helpline, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Funding is authorized to begin in FY2027 and is tied to a share of federal receipts from a specified wagering-related tax for calendar year 2025, with inflation adjustments for FY2028–2032. The program requires competitive applications, prioritizes applicants serving disproportionately affected groups and shortage areas, requires grantees to show increased access and service reach, and requires periodic reporting to designated congressional committees.