- A recently introduced bill would ban sports betting advertising targeted to children.
- Penalties reach up to $100,000 for violations occurring on social media platforms.
- Studies show that 36% of boys aged 11-17 have gambled in the last year.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two senators are pushing for a ban on digital sports betting advertisements that target children. The Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement (GAME) Act would ban these ads from appearing on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
It’s no secret that teenagers are gambling on sports, and senators Katie Britt and Richard Blumenthal look to limit this by banning gambling advertising. The bill aims “to prohibit covered digital advertising platforms from displaying targeted advertisements directed to a minor that promote sports gambling platforms.”
Under the bill, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would oversee potential violations. Each sports betting advertisement directed to a minor can be fined up to $100,000 per advertisement.
“The rise in sports gambling among minors, particularly among young boys, is jarring,” said Senator Britt. “We know targeted advertising from gambling and prediction market websites can serve as the gateway to dangerous habits that too often become crippling addictions. Our legislation takes a critical step toward addressing this problem before it worsens. Our next generation is our greatest asset, and it’s our responsibility to take the necessary steps to protect them from online dangers whenever we can—which is exactly what this bill does.”
How Will They Determine Which Ads Target Minors?
In the details of the bill, there is a definition for the term “targeted advertisement directed to a minor that promotes a sports gambling platform, allowing the FTC to enforce this bill shall it pass.
Some of the qualifiers for a targeted advertisement include the personal information of a minor, the profiling of a minor or group of minors based on their interests or behaviors, and a unique identifier of a “connected device”, which the bill defines as a device capable of connecting to the internet or other devices.
