by
There is a brand-new bill floating around that could affect legal sports betting across the entire country. Yes, it’s a sweeping bill with huge implications if passed.
Not only that, but it might have some interest in the state of Washington. That’s because one of the proponents of the bill is from neighboring Oregon, so the influence could spread across state lines. Keep reading and we’ll tell you all about it!
GRIT Act Proposed For Problem Gambling
Meet the Gambling Addiction Recovery, Investment and Treatment Act, or GRIT Act for short. It’s the brand-new bill (sort of) aimed at, you guessed it, problem gambling. It was introduced to Congress as this is a federal bill — not a single-state proposal. Behind the bill is Rep. Andrea Salinas (from Oregon) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut).
“The growing legalization of sports betting, coupled with the ability to place bets from your phone whenever you want have created the perfect storm for gambling addiction — resulting in a severe public health crisis,” Blumenthal said in a press release. “The GRIT Act will allocate dedicated federal funding to tackle problem gambling head-on, allowing individuals suffering from gambling addiction to access support, resources, and treatment. With this legislation, we work to stop addiction and save lives.”
Under the proposal, 50 percent of the federal excise tax collected from sports betting would be funneled directly into gambling addiction support. Of that money, 75 percent would go straight to the states so they can address the issue locally, while the other 25% would head to the National Institute on Drug Abuse to fund research grants focused specifically on gambling addiction.
The bill locks in funding for a full 10 years and also puts pressure on federal agencies to show results. Within three years of the law passing, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would need to report back to Congress on how well the program is working, so this isn’t just wasted spending that would get the ire of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency.
State health agencies would also get additional support under this framework, giving them more resources to handle the growing demand for treatment. And beyond just throwing money at the problem, the proposal also greenlights investment into best practices and serious, wide-scale research. The goal? Build something lasting that actually helps people — not just another half-baked policy with no follow-through.
This is the two lawmakers’ second attempt at regulating betting at a federal level. The two introduced a near identical bill in 2024, but obviously didn’t get it passed. Before you knock that attempt, just know, making changes at the federal level like this does take time. A second go-around is realistic for such matters.
Sports Betting Under A Microscope
Once sports betting in Missouri goes live sometime this year, we’ll be sitting at 39 states with some form of legal sports wagering. Most of those states have multiple betting apps that allow bettors to make bets anywhere and everywhere. And there lies the problem for the policymakers of GRIT.
“Gambling can be a fun and harmless form of entertainment when enjoyed in moderation,” Salinas said. “Unfortunately, the rapid rise in online gambling has made it easier than ever to place bets — leading to a drastic increase in the number of Americans who are struggling with a gambling addiction.”
There’s all sorts of data that hints at an issue under the surface. One that caught our attention comes from the American Medical Association’s journal. It found that online searches for gambling addiction help have jumped 23 percent nationwide since sports betting was legalized in 2018. That’s an estimated 6.5 to 7.3 million queries, with researchers tracking terms like “gambling addiction hotline” and “gambling anonymous” from 2016 to mid-2024. The spikes were especially sharp in states with legal mobile betting, including Ohio (67 percent), Massachusetts (47 percent), and Pennsylvania (50 percent).
Could Washington Become An Ally?
GRIT already has some allies. The following three organizations have backed it: National Council on Problem Gambling, Oregon Council on Problem Gambling, and Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling. No surprise that Oregon and Connecticut given where Salinas and Blumenthal are from.
Now here is where the state of Washington fits into the picture. Of course, it neighbors the state of Oregon, where Salinas resides. Naturally, when trying to gather other allies, you stick close to your roots. So could Washington-based committees be the next to back GRIT?
Look, we don’t know, but it’s certainly with reason. Sports betting in Washington is a thing, albeit limited. The state only allows tribes to offer betting, and all of it has to be done in person.
While we’d be shocked to see any Washington tribal organization join the issue, the state has others that might show interest. Just as Oregon and Connecticut have problem gambling councils, so does Washington — Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling.
If that domino falls, who’s to say other states won’t as well? Sometimes, all it takes is one to create a domino effect. GRIT has huge national implications so we’ll certainly be monitoring if other states get involved.
Best Betting Sites 