• News

Pennsylvania Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Geofence Gambling Apps Out of Schools

Pennsylvania House Bill 2631 would require gambling operators to use geofencing technology to block their apps on school property, a direct response to a growing underage gambling problem. The bill, authored by State Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-45), targets a gap in existing protections: PA’s minimum gambling age is 21, but underage players have found workarounds to Pennsylvania’s gambling laws, like using their parents’ accounts.

According to a recent study, 36% of boys in the US aged 11 to 17 have gambled in the last year. HB 3631 is one of several gambling bills moving through the Pennsylvania legislature in 2026.

What is Pennsylvania HB 2631?

Operators already use geofencing software to ensure that only players in their jurisdiction access their apps. HB 2631 would effectively shut down gambling apps on school property.

HB 2631 was introduced on June 12, 2026, and is currently with the House Gaming Oversight Committee. Ortitay, who developed the bill in coordination with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, told Gambling Insider he believes it has enough support to pass. If it clears the House, it will need at least 26 Senate votes before reaching Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.

Who Supports HB 2631?

The bill was written by Ortitay, but he is not the only lawmaker fighting to reduce underage gambling in the Keystone State. Ortitay has multiple co-sponsors for the bill, including:

• Marc Anderson (R-92)
• Jamie Flick (R-83)
• Robert Merski (D-2)
• Andrew Kuzma (R-39)
• Andrews Verobish (R-79

Ortitay and company need significant support to pass the bill. Lawmakers need 102 votes to pass a bill in PA’s 203-seat House of Representatives.

How Does HB 2631 Work?

Licensed gambling operators in Pennsylvania already use geofencing to restrict access based on state lines. HB 2631 would require them to apply the same technology at a more granular level, drawing a digital boundary around every K-12 school in the state.

In theory, this change would help limit access to gambling apps while underage students are in school.

PA has a minimum gambling age of 21 years old. However, underage gamblers have found ways around this limit, such as using their parent’s accounts. According to a recent study, 36% of boys in the US aged 11 to 17 have gambled in the last year.

What Other PA Gambling Laws Could Pass in 2026?

Ortitay is far from the only lawmaker in the Keystone State looking to update PA’s betting laws. Other measures up for vote this year include SB 265, SB 266, and the PA Online Consumer Protection Act.

SB 265

One of two recent gambling bills introduced by State Senator Wayne Fontana (D-42), SB 265, would prevent bettors from using their credit cards to deposit at PA operators. According to Fontana and other proponents of the bill, stopping credit card deposits would help reduce gambling addiction in the Keystone State.

If passed, Pennsylvania would join a small group of states actively restricting credit card gambling deposits, a measure that UK regulators implemented in 2020.

SB 266

Also introduced by Fontana, SB 266 expands the state’s self-exclusion program. It would prevent operators from advertising to players who have placed themselves on the self-ban list.

Pennsylvania’s self-exclusion list currently has over 50,000 registered members, and SB 266 would close a major loophole that lets operators continue targeting those players with ads.

PA Online Consumer Protection Act

The PA Online Consumer Protection Act, a bipartisan bill, would establish limits on how much players could deposit into their casino accounts in a 24-hour period. It also includes the house companion bills for SB 265 and SB 266, meaning all three measures are closely linked.

If the Consumer Protection Act passes, it would effectively advance the credit card ban and self-exclusion advertising restrictions at the same time.

What PA Gambling Law Changes Mean for Players

If any of these bills pass, Pennsylvania players choosing regulated gambling apps will see direct changes. Geofencing restrictions under HB 2631 would cut off access to gambling apps on school grounds. A credit card deposit ban under SB 265 would force players to use debit cards, bank transfers, or crypto instead.

Tighter self-exclusion rules under SB 266 would reduce the volume of promotional emails and ads hitting players who have opted out. None of these bills has passed yet, but Pennsylvania lawmakers are clearly moving toward tighter gaming regulation across the board.