FILE – In this Dec. 30, 2019 file photo, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu shows his receipt after placing the first legal sports wagering bet on his mobile phon in Manchester, N.H. Special-purpose acquisition companies, better known as SPACs, have been embraced by big institutions and small-pocketed investors alike. Companies such as Draftkings and Virgin Galactic used a SPAC to go public last year. The frenzy surrounding SPACs has also attracted the attention of government regulators, who are concerned they may draw in unsophisticated investors.(AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)– A Pennsylvania lawmaker is introducing legislation that would prohibit credit cards from being used for online gaming revenue, including sports betting.
Gaming revenue brought in a record amount for Pennsylvania last year, almost $5.7 billion, but State Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny County) wants the online versions to not include credit cards because debt is already high.
“Online gaming and sports betting is growing exponentially, especially with young adults,” Sen. Fontana said. “At the same time, credit card debt is climbing. So we need to make sure the greater access to gambling isn’t leading to burdensome or crippling credit card balances.”
Other than sports betting, the legislation also includes online casino games, fantasy games and even the Pennsylvania iLottery.
March is “National Problem Gamblin Awareness Month” Fontana noted in his memo and that the average Pennsylvania has more than $5,640 in credit card debt.
If the bill is passed, Pennsylvania will join Iowa. Tennessee. and Massachusetts for states that banned the use of credit cards for online gaming.
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