Pennsylvania Bill Would Eliminate Microbetting, Same-Game Parlays
Jesse M. Cox Published 04/11/2026
Introduced before the state legislature, Pennsylvania bill HB 2879 is a bipartisan bill that proposes sweeping changes to how sports betting would work in the Keystone State. If passed, the bill would eliminate microbetting, same-game parlays, and sportsbook VIP programs from sports betting in the state. Sponsored by State Rep. Tarik Khan, a Democrat, the bill includes eight Democrats and one Republican as co-sponsors.
Describing them as predatory practices by sports betting sites, the bill also proposes that sportsbooks be required to impose funding restrictions and wagering deposit prohibitions on customers who are shown to be losing significant amounts of money from betting on sports.
Bill HB 2879 would dramatically change sports betting in Pennsylvania
Introduced on October 21, Pennsylvania bill HP 2879 is an act intending to amend Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. It would provide for better online gambling public health and consumer protection. The bill would also establish a restricted account within the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund and the Online Problem Gambling Public Health Task Force.
The main co-sponsors of the bill are Democrat Khan and Republican Rep. Jamie Flick.
“Kids today are growing up surrounded by sports betting advertisements and gambling apps,” Flick said in a release about the bill. “We need to make sure the next generation isn’t being drawn into gambling addiction before they fully understand the risks.
"This bipartisan bill puts meaningful protections in place, especially for young adults who are particularly vulnerable.”
Here are the changes proposed in the bill
Not only are there many changes proposed by HB 2879, but these changes would significantly alter the fabric of how sports betting operates in Pennsylvania.
If passed into law, this legislation would ban rapid-fire microbets and predatory VIP programs that encourage excessive gambling. It would prohibit credit-card gambling and establish financial safeguards, including deposit and loss limits.
Guardrails designed for the protection of young people would include restrictions on gambling advertising that is aimed at minors and young adults. There would also be a crackdown on AI-driven promotions that target people vulnerable to gambling addiction.
The bill would establish limits on gambling time allotted to customers, and there would be a prohibition on automatic wagering. Finally, the bill calls for the creation of a funding measure to provide access to addiction prevention, treatment, and research through an assessment on online gambling revenue.
Khan sought to make it clear that he is not anti-gambling. He would just rather that sports betting be done in a manner that is less predatory and addictive.
“People should be free to enjoy an occasional bet,” Khan said. “But the gambling industry shouldn’t be allowed to exploit addiction for profit. We studied the problem, we followed the evidence, and now we’re taking bipartisan action to protect Pennsylvanians.”
This bill expands on a Pennsylvania House-approved gambling study
The legislation builds on a statewide study. This study was commissioned through a 2025 resolution introduced by Khan. It was overwhelmingly approved by the House by a 189–14 vote.
Released in July 2026, the study examined gambling addiction, industry marketing practices and consumer protections.
Its findings showed that just 5.7% of online sports bettors accounted for 80% of gambling expenditures. At one online sportsbook, 0.5% of customers generated more than 70% of revenue through its VIP program.
“Problem gambling ruins lives and destroys families,” said Khan, a nurse practitioner. “That’s why I pushed for this statewide study in the first place.
"What we found was deeply troubling: Gambling companies using predatory practices to keep people betting, even as they’re losing everything. This study became the foundation of our bipartisan legislation to hold these Wall Street bookies accountable and protect Pennsylvania families.”
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