The bill, HB 1052, amends Indiana’s Voluntary Exclusion Program (VEP) statute to include sports wagering certificate holders (ie state-licensed online sportsbooks).

Before this law, Indiana Gaming Commission materials already treated VEP participants as barred from sports wagering in Indiana, but HB 1052 now puts that in statute.

A group of bipartisan lawmakers is making a legislative effort to provide federal funding to support prevention, screening and treatment services for gambling addiction to the public.

The Providing Opportunities for Individuals In Need of Treatment & Support (POINTS) Act aims to close a gap in addictive disorder treatment, as federal funding is allocated toward alcohol and drug addiction, but not gambling.

Gambling addiction has long been linked to an increased risk of suicide. And early research –– not yet peer-reviewed –– points to an uptick in both debt and bankruptcy linked to a state's legalization of sports betting.

Some health experts say awareness around the potential problems is lacking and worry not enough is being done to stop gambling disorders before it’s too late.