In a move hailed as a 'good starting point' by advocates of responsible gambling, Pennsylvania State Representative Jason Ortitay has proposed a new law aimed at preventing gambling platforms from operating within K-12 school zones. This legislation, known as House Bill 2631, seeks to address a loophole that currently allows students to gamble during school hours.
Introduced on June 12, the bill has garnered support from several co-sponsors, including Representatives Anderson, Flick, Merski, Kuzma, Verobish, and Kutz. Ortitay emphasized the importance of keeping schools focused on education rather than gambling, stating, “Our schools should be a place for learning, not a place to lose your future one bet at a time.”
The proposed law would require online casinos and sportsbooks to block access to their services from within school premises. Ortitay pointed out that while Pennsylvania has a regulated framework for adult online gambling, the rise of smartphones has blurred the lines between regulated activities and the school environment. He noted that minors have been using their parents' accounts to gamble during class.
House Bill 2631 places the onus on licensed gambling operators to implement geofencing technology, which would create a digital barrier around school properties, preventing access to their platforms. Ortitay confirmed discussions with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) regarding the feasibility of this technology, stating, “It’ll take some work and time to implement, but it can be done.”
The legislation is also a tribute to Ray Mikesell, a man from South Fayette Township who tragically lost his life to suicide after struggling with a gambling addiction that began in his school years. His father, Raymond Mikesell Jr., has been an advocate for preventing similar tragedies. Ortitay expressed hope that the bill could help save lives, saying, “If this legislation helps even one person, it is worth it.”
As the bill awaits consideration by the House’s Gaming Oversight Committee, Ortitay remains optimistic about its chances of passing, highlighting the straightforward nature of the issue: who would support allowing minors to gamble illegally in schools?
Furthermore, Ortitay noted that the bill aligns with his ongoing efforts to enhance consumer protections related to gambling, including the establishment of a centralized helpline for problem gambling, 1-800-GAMBLER. Although the PGCB has not yet commented on the legislation, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Council on Compulsive Gambling, Josh Ercole, described the bill as a promising initial step, while also calling for broader measures to address gambling education.