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Creates a new federal competitive grant program run by HHS to help states, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations prevent, screen for, treat, and provide outreach for clinical gambling addiction. Grants can pay for provider training, prevention and outreach, specialized outpatient and telehealth treatment, peer support, help lines, and other services, with priority for disproportionately affected groups and underserved areas. Funding is authorized beginning FY2027 at a variable amount equal to 33% of certain federal wagering-related receipts for a specified prior year, with CPI adjustments for FY2028–FY2032. The agency must give technical assistance to grantees and report to Congress starting December 29, 2027 and annually thereafter on program effectiveness.
The bill expands prevention, treatment, and culturally appropriate supports for people with gambling addiction—especially in underserved communities—but its reach and effectiveness are constrained by limited, designated funding, administrative discretion, and the risk that some communities may be left out.
People with gambling addiction — including tribal community members, veterans, youth, and low-income individuals — gain expanded access to grant-funded prevention, screening, treatment, and provider training that improves early identification and care.
Residents of underserved areas (rural areas, health professional shortage areas, and tribal communities) receive priority for services and grants, and programs are incentivized to be culturally and linguistically appropriate, increasing equity of access.
Victims and at-risk individuals (including veterans, families, and youth) gain more immediate support options through helplines, real-time services, and telehealth, improving timely access to help.
The program is capped at a portion of specific excise tax receipts (33% for 2025), so available funding may be insufficient to meet demand and limit the program's scale and reach.
Taxpayer dollars directed to this grant program reduce funds available for other federal priorities unless offsets are provided, creating fiscal tradeoffs for taxpayers and other programs.
Grant award priorities and application requirements may leave some communities or groups without support if they do not meet priority criteria or lack capacity to apply, perpetuating gaps in coverage.
Introduced March 9, 2026 by Erin Houchin · Last progress March 9, 2026