Two US Representatives have introduced bipartisan legislation calling for a comprehensive federal investigation into gambling disorder, marking the first serious attempt to systematically examine harm patterns in an industry that’s grown dramatically since sports betting legalization in 2018.

The Research Void

Here’s the thing that stands out: despite gambling disorder being recognized in the DSM-5 as a behavioral addiction, no federal agency currently leads coordinated national research on the issue. That’s a real gap, particularly given that the federal government collects tax revenue from gambling activity while having minimal insight into actual harm patterns.

The Gambling Disorder Health Study Act, introduced by Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Blake Moore (UT-01), would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to run a multi-year study examining causes, progression, demographics, and long-term impacts of problem gambling. The research would also assess prevention and treatment effectiveness, alongside policy questions around sports betting expansion, media exposure, and accessibility.

Numbers Tell a Story

The context here matters. US commercial gaming revenue hit $78.72 billion in 2025, up 9.2% year-on-year. More than one-quarter of Americans now hold active online sportsbook accounts. Among men aged 18 to 49, that figure exceeds 50 percent.

Alongside growth in participation, there’s been measurable increase in harm signals. Online searches for gambling addiction support have jumped 23 percent since 2018. Research estimates suggest 2 to 3 percent of Americans meet criteria for gambling disorder. Universities including the University of Maryland have raised concerns about rising disorder rates, particularly in younger demographics.

Funding and Implementation

The legislation proposes funding research by allocating 10 percent of federal excise tax revenue generated from state-authorized sports wagers over three fiscal years. The HHS would submit annual progress reports to Congress with policy recommendations based on findings.

Both sponsors framed this as overdue attention to a public health issue. Goldman argued the federal government should treat gambling addiction with the same seriousness applied to other addictive behaviors, particularly given how 24/7 online platforms have changed accessibility. Moore emphasized that understanding causation and consequences is essential for developing effective policy responses.

We’ll see whether this gains traction through Congress. But here’s the real point: an industry generating tens of billions annually deserves proper federal data collection on actual harm outcomes, not just tax revenue projections.