Katie Britt backs ban on sports betting ads targeting minors

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt is taking aim at the digital gambling industry, introducing legislation designed to shield minors from aggressive sports betting advertisements online.

Targeting Online Platforms

Britt has teamed up with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) to introduce the Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement Act. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, the bill aims to enforce a federal prohibition on sports betting commercials that are streamed to popular digital platforms, including TikTok and Instagram.

A Call for Protection

Britt, who has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate, criticized the current federal landscape regarding online child safety. "Congress has been completely feckless when it comes to protecting our children online," Britt stated. "We talk about this crisis nonstop, but have not done nearly enough to address it."

The senator emphasized that these advertisements act as a gateway to dangerous habits. "We know targeted advertising from gambling and prediction market websites can serve as the gateway to dangerous habits that too often become crippling addictions," she added. "Our legislation takes a critical step toward addressing this problem before it worsens."

Enforcement and Scope

Under the proposed law, the Federal Trade Commission would lead enforcement efforts, with the authority to refer repeat violators to the Justice Department. The legislation includes stiff financial consequences, allowing for penalties of up to $100,000 for each individual advertisement targeting minors.

While some platforms and regions have existing age restrictions, critics argue these measures are insufficient. Minors often encounter gambling content through alternative channels, such as influencer partnerships, podcasts, and video games.

Beyond the Betting Ban

In addition to her gambling legislation, Britt has also been active on other policy fronts, recently introducing a bill proposing a tax incentive for businesses that implement water recycling infrastructure. That initiative is aimed at addressing national concerns regarding the heavy water usage of data centers.

Note: This article was updated on May 18 to incorporate additional details and remarks from the senator.