The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) endorsed the introduction of the bipartisan Providing Opportunities for Individuals In Need of Treatment & Support (POINTS) Act, led by Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN), Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA). The POINTS Act is the first bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress in 15 years to address problem gambling among the general population.

The legislation would create the first dedicated federal funding stream to support prevention, screening, intervention, and treatment services for individuals at risk of or experiencing gambling addiction. If passed, the POINTS Act would reallocate one-third of the existing federal excise tax on sports wagers (0.25% of handle), generating an estimated $100 million annually without raising or creating new taxes. Federal excise tax revenue from sports wagering exceeded $150 million in FY2024 and reached an estimated $300 million in FY 2025.

“Gambling addiction can quietly devastate families. The financial damage and emotional strain often build over time and affect far more than the person placing the bet. I’ve seen how those consequences can impact loved ones and communities. As access to sports betting and online gambling grows, we have a responsibility to confront the addiction that can follow. The POINTS Act directs existing federal gaming revenue toward prevention, treatment, and recovery programs to help people get back on their feet,” said Rep. Erin Houchin.

“As sports betting and online gambling continue to expand across the country, we have a responsibility to ensure people struggling with addiction are not left behind. Gambling addiction can devastate individuals and families, yet too many communities still lack the resources needed to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery support. The POINTS Act helps close that gap by investing existing gambling excise tax revenue into programs that expand care, raise awareness, and connect people to the help they need,” said Rep. Andrea Salinas.

“The POINTS Act recognizes that gambling addiction is a public health issue requiring a coordinated national response. States and tribes need stable federal support to expand access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services. This legislation provides a responsible and sustainable funding mechanism to meet that need,” said Heather L. Maurer, Executive Director of NCPG.

BETER, the award-winning provider of live streaming, data and odds for esports and sports, has entered a new US state after being granted the Event Wagering Supplier License by the Arizona Department of Gaming.

The supplier licence allows BETER to deliver its fast-betting content, including live streams and live data, to licensed operators in the state for the first time, including its exclusive ESportsBattle tournaments and Setka Cup table tennis series.

Both are now live with tier-one operator bet365, a long-standing partner of BETER. Arizona is the seventh state in which BETER is now licensed as the company ramps up its presence in the state and the wider US market. BETER is also certified in North Carolina, New Jersey, Florida, Indiana, Iowa and Colorado.

BETER exclusively delivers 24/7 live streaming, real-time data and hyper-accurate odds for more than 700,000 fast-paced events annually, offering up to 50 markets per event with an average operator margin of 7.5%+.

Its esports portfolio includes ESportsBattle tournaments featuring eFootball, eBasketball, eHockey and eTennis, while its sports portfolio features the Setka Cup series and BSKT Cup basketball league.

Gal Ehrlich, CEO of BETER, said: “Securing regulatory approval in Arizona is a pivotal moment in our ongoing US expansion strategy. This marks our seventh state, and we are incredibly proud to continue our trajectory of growth in one of the world’s most dynamic betting markets.

“Our mission has always been to provide operators with the most reliable, high-velocity content available, and receiving the green light from the regulator is a testament to the integrity and quality of our offering.

“We are thrilled to kick off this journey with bet365 and look forward to bringing our industry-leading esports and sports content to even more Arizona players in the near future.”

Valeriia Tarchynska, Chief Legal Officer at BETER, added: “We are proud to announce that we have successfully completed the process of obtaining the Event Wagering Supplier License in the state of Arizona.

The process took us a total of eight months and was one of the most challenging journeys for our team. However, thanks to the dedication and expertise of our legal and integrity teams, we successfully navigated it.

This milestone strengthens our commitment to delivering reliable, compliant, and transparent products to our clients.

“We continue to actively work on securing regulatory approvals in key jurisdictions, including Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois, among others.”