This New Bill Could Use Facial Recognition to Stop Underage Betting

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-07-16

On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) introduced the bipartisan **Facial Recognition to Protect Children Act**. This legislation would require prediction markets and online sportsbooks to verify users' ages using facial recognition technology before they can place bets or trades. The announcement was made alongside Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour and several supporting members of Congress, including Representatives Jeff Van Drew, Nick LaLota, Kristen McDonald Rivet, Jimmy Panetta, Darren Soto, Tom Suozzi, Ritchie Torres, and Bruce Westerman. ### Why This Bill Matters Underage betting is a growing problem in the United States. With online sportsbooks becoming more popular, minors can easily bypass traditional age checks. The proposed law aims to close that gap by using facial recognition—a technology already common in smartphones and airports—to confirm a user's age in real time. Here's what the bill would do: - Require any platform offering prediction markets or sports betting to scan a user's face before they can place a wager. - Use the scan to estimate the user's age and compare it against government-issued ID databases. - Block anyone under 21 from completing a transaction. ### The Technology Behind It Facial recognition isn't perfect, but it's getting better. Systems can now estimate age within a few years, and they're already used by casinos in Las Vegas to spot underage gamblers. The bill would mandate a "reasonable standard of accuracy" to avoid false positives or privacy violations. Critics worry about data security and bias. If the system misidentifies someone's age, it could lock out legitimate adult users. Supporters argue that the risk is worth it to protect kids from gambling addiction and financial harm. ### What This Means for Operators Online sportsbooks and prediction markets would need to update their platforms. That means buying software, training staff, and possibly facing audits. For smaller operators, the cost could be significant—potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. But the bill includes a grace period to help companies comply. > "This isn't about punishing businesses. It's about making sure our kids don't get hooked on gambling before they can legally drive," said Representative Gottheimer during the announcement. ### The Bigger Picture This bill is part of a larger trend. Several states are already exploring similar laws, and the federal government is paying closer attention to online gambling. If passed, the Facial Recognition to Protect Children Act could set a national standard. For professionals in the industry, the message is clear: age verification is about to get a lot more serious. Whether you run a prediction market or a sportsbook, you'll need to invest in technology that can keep up. ### What's Next The bill has been referred to committee. Hearings are expected in the fall. If it moves forward, it could become law by early 2027. In the meantime, companies should start researching facial recognition solutions and testing their systems. This isn't just about compliance—it's about trust. Customers want to know their kids are safe, and regulators want proof that operators are doing their part. The window for action is closing fast.