Pennsylvania bill HB 2879 would impose mandatory online betting limits
Session limits, deposit caps and biometric checks tied to treatment funding
Key Takeaways
- HB 2879 would create mandatory session and spending limits for online gambling in Pennsylvania upon enactment.
- The bill bans same‑event parlays and microbets and limits deposits to two per 24 hours, with a 15‑minute bet delay after deposits.
- Operators would pay a <f0>0.75%</f0> revenue assessment to fund programmes administered by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
- Age‑based loss blocks would apply: $750 in 24 hours or $2,500 in 30 days for players aged 21–25, with higher thresholds and overlap at 25.
- Biometric checks would be required at login and before wagers over $500; default daily login time is two hours with 72‑hour notice for increases.
HB 2879, introduced by Representative Tarik Khan, would impose mandatory spending and session limits for online gambling in Pennsylvania upon enactment. The bill bans same‑event parlays and microbets, limits deposits to two per 24‑hour period and levies an assessment of 0.75% of operators' revenue to fund problem‑gambling programmes.
Legal structure and funding
The draft would address online gambling within Title 35 of the state’s Health and Safety Code and channel funds through the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, linking wagering restrictions to prevention and treatment; relevant compliance obligations would fall under state [regulation](/regulation).
Age limits, deposits and account controls
Operators would be required to block wagering when players aged 21 to 25 lose $750 in 24 hours or $2,500 in 30 days. Higher thresholds in the draft reach $1,500 and $5,000, with overlap at age 25.
Deposits exceeding $5,000 within 180 days would trigger affordability checks. ACH debits, transfers on available funds and physical checks would be permitted; credit cards and government assistance cards would be excluded. A general betting delay of 15 minutes would apply after a deposit. (See [payments](/payments) for transaction context.)
Sessions, biometrics and marketing
Players would set daily and monthly login limits with a default daily cap of 2 hours; increases would require 72 hours. Biometric checks would be applied at login and before wagers over $500.
The bill removes sign‑up bonuses and VIP rewards, bans push notifications for bonuses and restricts advertising between 08:00 and 22:00, including live broadcast of sporting events. It also bars loss‑recovery promotions and adverts featuring athletes, celebrities or influencers likely to appeal to minors; the changes affect [sports](/sports) marketing and broadcast practices.
"HB 2879 addresses online gambling through Title 35," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Tarik Khan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HB 2879 ban regarding bet types?
HB 2879 bans same‑game parlays (same‑event parlays) and microbets as part of measures intended to limit high‑risk wager structures.
What loss limits by age are proposed in the bill?
The bill would require operators to block wagers when players aged 21–25 lose $750 in 24 hours or $2,500 in 30 days; the draft also specifies higher thresholds of $1,500 and $5,000 with overlap at age 25.
What deposit and verification rules does HB 2879 introduce?
Deposits would be limited to two per 24 hours; deposits over $5,000 in 180 days would trigger affordability checks. ACH, transfers on available funds and checks are allowed; credit cards and government assistance cards are excluded.
What session controls and biometric measures are in the proposal?
The draft sets a default daily login limit of two hours and requires 72 hours to approve increases. It mandates biometric checks at login and before wagers exceeding $500.
How would advertising and promotions change under HB 2879?
The bill restricts advertising between 08:00 and 22:00, bans push bonus notifications, removes sign‑up and VIP incentives, and prohibits adverts featuring athletes, celebrities or influencers that might attract minors.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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