POINTS Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Houchin
Introduced
Summary
Creates a federal grant program to expand prevention, screening, and treatment for gambling addiction. This program funds culturally and linguistically appropriate services, provider training, telehealth, peer support, hotlines, and public outreach while prioritizing groups and areas with the greatest need.
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- People with gambling problems: More local options for screening, brief intervention, outpatient or telehealth treatment, peer support groups, and coordinated hotlines.
- Health care providers and primary care settings: Grants can pay for training in screening, brief intervention, and referral for treatment to catch and treat gambling problems earlier.
- Tribal communities, youth, veterans, and underserved areas: Applications that serve Native American communities, youth, members of the Armed Forces and veterans, partner with community organizations, or operate in health professional shortage areas get priority.
- Federal funding rule: For FY2027 the program is authorized at an amount equal to 33 percent of amounts the Treasury receives under Internal Revenue Code section 4401(a) for 2025, with CPI-U adjustments for FY2028–2032.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More gambling addiction treatment grants
This bill would create competitive federal grants for States, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations to establish, improve, or expand gambling addiction prevention and treatment services. Grants would fund training for providers, screening and brief intervention, prevention outreach, telehealth or in-person outpatient treatment, peer support groups (including Gamblers Anonymous), and real-time helplines that coordinate with the National Problem Gambling Helpline. The Assistant Secretary would prioritize programs serving people disproportionately affected (including men, youth, Native Americans, service members, and veterans), programs in primary care, partnerships with community groups, and projects in health professional shortage or rural areas. Funding would be authorized starting in fiscal year 2027 equal to 33% of Treasury receipts under 26 U.S.C. 4401(a) for 2025, with CPI‑U adjustments for FY2028–FY2032. The Assistant Secretary would provide technical assistance to grantees and must report on program effectiveness by December 29, 2027, and every year after.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Houchin
IN • R
Cosponsors
Salinas
OR • D
Sponsored 3/9/2026
Miller-Meeks
IA • R
Sponsored 3/9/2026
Carter (LA)
LA • D
Sponsored 3/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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