Campaign for Fairer Gambling claims GRIT Act the “best chance to save lots of lives”
Lobby group sides with proposed Act which would see federal sports excise tax funneled into treatment and education for gambling-related harms
The Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG) has called the industry’s reaction to the proposed GRIT Act a “predictable, short-sighted objection” in a damning statement.
The lobby group, which is supported by prominent UK-based campaigner Derek Webb, has backed the proposal which would see tax dollars funneled to support gambling-related harms education and treatment.
The Gambling addiction Recovery, Investment, and Treatment (GRIT) Act was put forward by Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Andrea Salinas last week and garnered support from the National Council for Problem Gambling.
Under the proposal, 50% of the federal sports excise tax would be pushed into treatment and research.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) confirmed it would not back the bill.
The CFG has now thrown its two cents into the equation, with a spokesperson stating that “with rapid expansion [of gambling] comes accountability”.
The spokesperson said: “As popular as sports betting is among millions of Americans, the reality is that gambling expansion across the nation has introduced massive risk into our society.
“Since legalization, helpline numbers across the nation have skyrocketed. Several states are pleading for more resources while nine states haven’t yet addressed gambling harm.
“It’s only fair for this thriving sector to be responsible for its own wake. This might actually be the most appropriate usage ever of the term ‘cost of doing business’,” the spokesperson added.
The CFG then proceeded to take aim at the industry for its perceived lack of engagement with the GRIT Act, before boldly declaring that the proposal is the “best chance to save lots of lives”.
The spokesperson continued: “Unfortunately, it has become evident from the gambling sector’s predictable, shortsighted objection to the GRIT Act that policymakers will have to ensure all costs are covered. We couldn’t imagine a more appropriate revenue stream for the industry to cover its costs than the existing tax on sports betting.
“The gambling sector can no longer reasonably expect to evade external responsibility. The GRIT Act is our best chance to save lots of lives by doing what’s responsible, fair, and inevitable. The only ‘responsible’ position here is for the industry to do more, not less.”
Earlier this year, the CFG claimed that the rapid growth in gambling in New Jersey was to the detriment of society, based on a study conducted by NERA Economic Consulting.
The report claimed that the Garden State’s economic activity had decreased by around $180m as a result of the c.$2.4bn that was wagered in the state in 2022.