GAME Act of 2026

Bill Number

S. 4555

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-05-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Last Updated

2026-06-25T12:18:24Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of S. 4555: Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement Act of 2026 (GAME Act of 2026)

Purpose

This legislation aims to restrict targeted digital advertising of sports gambling platforms to individuals under 18 years old by making such practices unlawful for large online platforms.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition: Beginning one year after enactment, covered digital advertising platforms may not display targeted advertisements directed to a minor that promote sports gambling platforms.
• Enforcement by Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive acts under the FTC Act. The FTC has authority to enforce this section using its existing powers, including through rulemaking under standard administrative procedures.
• Criminal Penalties: The FTC must refer platforms found in violation (or that settle) three or more times to the Department of Justice. Repeat offenders face fines of up to $100,000 per targeted advertisement for each instance.
• Definitions: The bill defines key terms, including:
• Covered digital advertising platform: Social media platforms, search engines, or digital ad networks with over 100 million unique monthly users that derive revenue from advertising.
• Minor: Any individual under 18.
• Targeted advertisement directed to a minor: Ads linked to personal information, profiling, or device identifiers of a minor.
• Sports gambling platform: Services allowing bets on sporting events, including prediction markets.
• Exclusions apply for ads based solely on content context, direct user requests, or performance measurement.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new federal prohibition on specific advertising practices, treating violations as FTC-enforceable unfair or deceptive acts. It adds a referral process for criminal penalties on repeat offenders, expanding beyond civil remedies in the FTC Act. No direct amendments to prior statutes are made; instead, it builds on existing FTC jurisdiction.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases FTC enforcement responsibilities, including investigations and rulemaking; requires coordination with the Department of Justice for criminal referrals.
• Citizens: Aims to limit minors' exposure to sports gambling promotions via targeted digital ads, potentially affecting how platforms handle user data for advertising.
• International Relations: No direct provisions address foreign entities, though the rules could apply to international platforms operating in the U.S. with large user bases.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Large digital platforms (e.g., social media sites, search engines, and ad networks meeting the user threshold).
• Sports gambling platforms and related advertisers.
• Minors and their parents.
• Federal agencies (FTC and Department of Justice).
• Broader digital advertising industry.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill relies on the FTC's established authority over unfair practices without introducing new constitutional tests. It includes a criminal penalty mechanism for repeated violations, which could raise enforcement and due process considerations. The legislation is presented as bipartisan and focuses on consumer protection for minors in digital spaces.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]

Cosponsors (4)

Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

Recent Actions

• 2026-05-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
• 2026-05-18: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-18 — PDF (11 pages)