Federal gambling reform bills 2026 are back in the spotlight in Washington. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Rep. Paul Tonko of New York are pushing two proposals. Both aim to add national rules to a market that states mostly control today.
Federal Gambling Reform Bills 2026: The Two Proposals
The first is the SAFE Bet Act. The name stands for Supporting Affordability and Fairness With Every Bet. It would set federal guardrails for state-licensed sportsbooks.
Those guardrails include deposit limits and bet limits. The bill also calls for regular affordability checks. In short, sportsbooks would need to confirm that customers can afford their betting.
The second bill is newer. The Prediction Markets Security and Integrity Act would set consumer protections for online prediction markets. It would also shift oversight away from the federal CFTC and toward individual states.
The Campaign Behind The Bills
A new campaign supports the push. It goes by the name “Truth and Integrity: The Movement for Gambling Reform.” It launched in Washington on September 23.
The Public Health Advocacy Institute and Families and Friends of Gamblers back the effort. Dr. Harry Levant leads the institute. He is a former attorney who stole $2 million from clients to fund a gambling addiction in 2015. Today he campaigns for stronger protections.
Blumenthal did not hold back. He accused the industry of relentlessly taking advantage of vulnerable people to make more money.
Why It Matters For Players
Affordability checks would change how you bet. Sportsbooks might ask for income details or bank data. Some players would welcome that protection. Others would see it as an invasion of privacy.
However, the bills face strong opposition. The American Gaming Association opposes federal intervention. It argues that states already have adequate protections. Meanwhile, the prediction market industry says its products are financial tools, not gambling.
The prediction market bill could matter even more. Today, platforms like Kalshi argue that federal rules shield them from state gambling laws. Several states disagree and have sued. A law that hands oversight to states would settle much of that fight. As a result, sports event contracts could face the same rules as sportsbooks. That change would affect millions of users.
Casino Bonus Streak Perspective
We think the federal gambling reform bills 2026 face a long road. Past versions of the SAFE Bet Act stalled. Still, the debate shapes how states write their own rules.
Whatever happens in Congress, smart habits help today. Set your own deposit limits. Compare offers in our guide to the best casino bonuses. Additionally, use our list of fast payout casinos to find sites that pay quickly.
What Players Should Watch Next
Watch for committee hearings on either bill. Also watch how states react to the prediction market proposal. Many states already fight those platforms in court. Finally, watch whether any Republicans sign on as co-sponsors. Bipartisan support would give the bills a real chance. (Source: Casino.org)
