Key Takeaways
- Federal legislation would add facial recognition to age verification
- Online sportsbooks and prediction markets would be covered
- Backers say the bill would make underage gambling more difficult
Members of Congress have introduced bipartisan legislation that would require regulated online sportsbooks and prediction market operators to verify customers through facial recognition technology before they can place wagers. The proposal, titled the Facial Recognition to Protect Children Act, is intended to strengthen existing identity verification procedures and reduce the risk of minors accessing betting accounts.
Supporters believe the requirement would close gaps in current verification systems as mobile wagering continues to grow throughout the United States.
Lawmakers Aim to Reduce Youth Access
Rep. Josh Gottheimer introduced the legislation in response to increasing concerns about underage gambling and the ease with which minors may gain access to betting platforms.
According to the American Gaming Association, Americans wagered roughly $160 billion on sports during the past year. At the same time, recent research indicates gambling participation among teenagers has continued to rise alongside the expansion of legal online betting.
Proponents argue additional identity checks would make it more difficult for minors to wager using accounts registered to parents or other adults.
Technology Would Verify Users Before Wagering
Licensed sportsbooks already conduct identity verification when customers create new accounts, but supporters say that process only confirms who opened the account—not necessarily who is using it later.
The proposed legislation would require operators to authenticate customers through facial recognition before wagers can be placed, ensuring the individual accessing the account matches the verified account holder.
Supporters view the technology as an added layer of protection rather than a replacement for existing Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.
Measure Has Industry Backing
The legislation has received endorsements from both industry leaders and advocacy organizations.
Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour has voiced support for the proposal, saying stronger identity verification standards could improve trust in regulated prediction markets and online betting platforms. ParentsRISE has also endorsed the legislation as part of broader efforts to reduce youth gambling.
The early support suggests there is growing interest in adopting technology-driven responsible gaming safeguards across the regulated industry.
States Have Pursued Other Safeguards
Several states have already implemented or proposed their own measures to address underage gambling.
Massachusetts has invested in educational initiatives designed to teach students about the risks associated with sports betting, while Pennsylvania lawmakers have explored restricting access to betting applications on school grounds through geolocation technology.
Unlike those efforts, the federal proposal focuses specifically on verifying who is placing a wager instead of limiting where betting can occur.
Bill Must Clear Congress
The legislation has only recently been introduced and faces several stages before it could become law.
It must first advance through the House committee process before receiving consideration by the full House of Representatives. If approved there, the Senate would also need to pass identical legislation before the bill could be sent to the president for signature.
At this point, congressional leaders have not announced a timetable for hearings or votes.
Potential Changes for Betting Operators
Should the legislation become law, online sportsbooks and prediction markets would likely need to update their authentication systems to comply with the new federal standards.
Implementing facial recognition could require additional technology investments, operational changes, and revised customer verification procedures. However, supporters believe those costs would be outweighed by stronger consumer protections and reduced opportunities for underage gambling.
Final Takeaways
The Facial Recognition to Protect Children Act would establish a nationwide facial recognition requirement for regulated online sportsbooks and prediction market platforms, marking a significant expansion of existing identity verification rules.
Although the proposal remains in the early stages of the legislative process, it reflects the increasing attention lawmakers and industry stakeholders are giving to responsible gaming, account security, and preventing minors from accessing legal betting platforms.
