US Lawmakers Push Facial Recognition Checks to Improve Underage Protection

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has introduced legislation requiring online sportsbooks to carry out facial recognition age checks before customers can place bets. Representative Josh Gottheimer introduced the Facial Recognition to Protect Children Act on 15 July, with support from eight lawmakers across both political parties.

Under the proposal, operators would be required to verify a customer’s age either when they log in or immediately before they place a wager.  The facial analysis would assess physical characteristics to estimate whether the user meets the legal gambling age.

According to Gottheimer’s office, the technology would not store a user’s identity or biometric information. The proposal would also apply to prediction markets, although sportsbooks would be most impacted by the operational changes.

Existing identity checks are inefficient in confirming user details

Licensed sportsbooks collect customer information such as names, addresses and dates of birth during registration. They also rely on geolocation technology to confirm that bets are placed within authorised states.

However, those safeguards primarily verify the account, not the individual using the device. Lawmakers argue that minors can still access betting platforms by using a parent’s account or saved login credentials.

Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet, one of the bill’s sponsors, said: “Kids under the age of 18 shouldn’t be making bets, but now it’s just a few taps away on their phones. Our common sense, bipartisan bill will put a stop to it.”

The proposal follows research from Common Sense Media showing that 36% of boys aged between 11 and 17 gambled last year, rising to 40% among boys aged 14 to 17. Over one quarter also reported gambling-related stress, family conflict or problems at school.

Operators would need new compliance systems for regulated markets

If approved, the bill would establish a single federal age verification standard across every regulated sports betting market in the US.

Operators would need compatible facial analysis software alongside compliance procedures governing how each verification is carried out. The requirement could also introduce additional verification during repeat logins or before live betting if operators choose not to verify customers when they enter the platform.

The proposal arrives as Congress increases its focus on youth gambling and sportsbook regulation. Recent legislative efforts include the GAME Act, which seeks to ban betting advertisements aimed at minors. There have also been Senate hearings on sports integrity involving the American Gaming Association and a firm monitoring suspicious wagering.

Another bipartisan push occurred in October 2025 for tougher sanctions against offshore gambling operators. Unlike previous reform proposals, Gottheimer’s bill leaves state licensing systems untouched.