U.S. lawmakers have introduced H.R. 7875, the Providing Opportunities for Individuals in Need of Treatment and Support (POINTS) Act of 2026, a bipartisan bill designed to dedicate federal funds toward problem gambling prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Presented during Problem Gambling Awareness Month, the legislation would redirect a portion of the existing federal sports wagering excise tax to establish a competitive grant program for states, tribes, and community organisations.
Key Legislative Takeaways
The POINTS Act aims to provide much‑needed support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction by reallocating federal funds from existing sports wagering excise taxes. The bill, introduced by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, seeks to channel these funds into prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Below are the key legislative details that underscore the potential impact of this initiative:
- Bipartisan introduction: The POINTS Act was introduced by Representatives Erin Houchin (R‑IN), Andrea Salinas (D‑OR), Mariannette Miller‑Meeks (R‑IA), and Troy Carter (D‑LA).
- Funding mechanism: The Act proposes reallocating part of the existing federal excise tax on sports wagers, without imposing new taxes, to finance gambling addiction services.
- Estimated support level: Projections estimate the redirected funds could generate close to $100 million annually for prevention, treatment, and recovery programmes.
- Competitive grants: Funds would support prevention, screening, intervention, outpatient services, telehealth treatment, and peer‑support programmes for individuals experiencing gambling addiction.
- Priority populations: The legislation prioritises communities disproportionately affected by gambling harm, including youth, veterans, Native Americans, and rural populations.
- First federal initiative in 15 years: The POINTS Act marks the first bipartisan gambling addiction‑focused legislation introduced in Congress in more than a decade.
Policy Objective and Stakeholder Support
The POINTS Act seeks to address what lawmakers describe as a growing public health concern as access to sports betting and online gambling expands nationwide. Nearly 20 million Americans are estimated to show signs of problem gambling, with attendant social and economic costs estimated in the billions annually.
In her congressional announcement, Rep. Erin Houchin (R‑IN) emphasised the importance of directing existing gambling revenue toward addiction support rather than adding tax burdens:
Gambling addiction can quietly devastate families. The financial damage and emotional strain often build over time and affect far more than the person placing the bet. I’ve seen how those consequences can impact loved ones and communities. As access to sports betting and online gambling grows, we have a responsibility to confront the addiction that can follow. The POINTS Act directs existing federal gaming revenue toward prevention, treatment, and recovery programs to help people get back on their feet.
Similarly, Rep. Andrea Salinas (D‑OR) framed the legislation as closing gaps in prevention, treatment, and recovery:
As sports betting and online gambling continue to expand across the country, we have a responsibility to ensure people struggling with addiction are not left behind. Gambling addiction can devastate individuals and families, yet too many communities still lack the resources needed to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery support. The POINTS Act helps close that gap by investing existing gambling excise tax revenue into programs that expand care, raise awareness, and connect people to the help they need.
National advocates have also backed the bill. Heather L. Maurer, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, called for a coordinated national response and stable funding for prevention and recovery services.
Aligning Federal Focus With Broader Support Frameworks
The introduction of the POINTS Act occurs amid increased focus on problem gambling resources and consumer protection efforts at both federal and industry levels. In recent years, organisations such as the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) have expanded initiatives, including the 1‑800‑MY‑RESET national helpline, to improve access to support services and connect individuals with treatment options.
Policymakers and advocates argue that leveraging existing federal excise tax dollars represents a pragmatic funding method that can scale support without new taxes while also encouraging states and tribal governments to enhance local prevention and treatment infrastructures.
Public Health and Economic Rationale
The bill’s champions stress that gambling addiction is not only a matter of individual welfare but also broader community and economic concern. Federal funding through competitive grants would help under‑resourced areas build capacity for behavioural health services that integrate addiction support with general mental health care.
Critics caution that securing broad bipartisan support and navigating budgetary prioritisation will be critical hurdles, particularly as lawmakers balance fiscal and regulatory priorities. However, backers of the Act say the legislation’s non‑tax increase approach and focus on existing revenue streams enhance its prospects.
The POINTS Act must now progress through committee review and floor votes in both chambers of Congress. If enacted, the legislation would mark a significant federal step toward expanding national resources for gambling addiction prevention and recovery, a shift that many public health experts have long advocated.