Pennsylvania Proposes Blocking Online Gambling on School Properties

Online gambling has flourished in Pennsylvania since its legalization in 2017. But new legislation could restrict gambling in specific locations in the Keystone State.

Pennsylvania Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington) has proposed Memorandum 48868, which would provide the framework of a bill to block online gambling from any school property. Ortitay’s memo suggests requiring sportsbooks and iGaming casinos to geofence any school grounds, ensuring no wagers can be placed.

It’s not clear if the legislation would apply to all schools in Pennsylvania or exempt certain schools. It seems at a minimum, a bill would apply to all K-12 public schools in the commonwealth. Private schools and colleges could be another matter for multiple reasons.

Why Are Legislators Considering Blocking Online Gambling on School Properties?

In short, Pennsylvania is looking to curb potential abuses by minors. Per a July 2025 study, about 36% of boys aged 11-17 gambled on sports at least once in the prior year.

Usually, minors have used a parent or relative’s existing login information to access a sportsbook or iGaming site. They’ve then placed wagers, posing as their parent or relative.

The legislation would attempt to block any wagers on school grounds, where most people present are minors. While this wouldn’t completely prevent minor access, it would take away a location where parents don’t have access to their children’s phones.

“By placing the responsibility on licensed operators to enforce a geofence around our schools, we close a gap that has allowed gambling to reach students where they should be safest and most focused on learning,” Ortitay said.

What Questions Need to Be Resolved?

The biggest question includes which schools the legislation would cover and how. If the legislation extends to colleges, it introduces the question of how on-campus athletic facilities would be treated.

The Keystone State does not restrict wagers on in-state college teams. Of its three largest schools, Pittsburgh plays football off-campus and Villanova does the same for men’s basketball, while Penn State plays on campus for both sports. If fans were blocked from placing wagers at Penn State games, that could have a negative effect on attendance.

Beyond that, companies would need to fully map the commonwealth to geofence every school in Pennsylvania. With roughly 5,000 public and private schools in Pennsylvania, that could take several months to years to properly enforce.

How Likely is Passage?

It’s unclear. Pennsylvania’s legislature is divided, with Democrats controlling the state House and Republicans controlling the state Senate. Both sides hold a narrow majority, requiring compromise on virtually every issue.

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro has shown a willingness to combat problem gambling. In March, his administration announced new resources to help parents recognize and address signs of problem gambling.

However, Ortitay’s solution for blocking online gambling might be too complex to gain traction in the legislature. Whether the bill has a chance likely depends on how workable legislators find its recommendations.

What Is the Timeline?

Unlike most states, Pennsylvania doesn’t have a specific timeline for its legislative session. That means Ortitay could introduce his bill at any point. However, with the legislature currently voting on already debated bills, it seems far from becoming a law.