PA Problem Gambling Caucus: ‘Our Drug of Choice Is No Longer Meth. It’s in Your Pocket.’

The newly formed Pennsylvania Problem Gambling Caucus is taking aim at a rising crisis, warning that phone-based gambling has become as pervasive and destructive as illicit drug addiction.

In a first-of-its-kind legislative effort, a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers has announced the formation of the Pennsylvania Problem Gambling Caucus. The caucus will begin meeting in January when the General Assembly convenes for its 2027 legislative session.

State Sen. Joe Picozzi (R-Philadelphia) and Rep. Ben Sanchez (D-Montgomery) are heading up the bipartisan caucus, with Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming) serving as another founding member.

The group outlined its first priorities: reducing youth exposure to gambling ads and launching public education campaigns on the risks tied to casinos, sports betting, and iGaming.

Record Revenue, Record Losses

Pennsylvania’s gaming industry is among the richest in the nation in terms of revenue. 2025 marked the state’s fifth consecutive year of record revenue, with player losses from casinos, iGaming, sports betting, video gaming terminals, and fantasy sports totaling $6.8 billion.

While physical casino revenue has stalled in recent years, online gambling and mobile sports betting have experienced exponential growth. Online casino losses reached $2.7 billion last year—up from $1.1 billion in 2021.

Sports bettors lost $602.5 million, nearly double the $340.1 million reported four years prior. Notably, these record totals exclude prediction markets, which allow anyone 18 and older to wager on events ranging from the weather to pop culture.

“With sports betting and online casinos just a tap away, we need to make sure our laws and consumer protections keep pace. That means taking a serious look at gambling addiction, protecting young adults and other vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and promoting responsible gaming,” said Picozzi.

Picozzi emphasized that the caucus aims to find “commonsense solutions” across party lines.

“When people lose their life savings, nobody wins, because there’s a huge social cost,” Picozzi said.

Pennsylvania Gambling Participation

Penn State University research published in January revealed that an all-time high of 30% of Pennsylvania adults engage in some form of online gambling annually, representing a 10% increase from the prior year. Penn State researchers concluded that between 2.5% and 6.4% of all Pennsylvanians may be problem gamblers.

The real-world impact is already evident: in December 2025, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania reported that young adults aged 18 to 24 accounted for the highest volume of outreach calls for the first time in state history.