New Jersey Lawmakers Introduce Bill Requiring Facial Recognition for Online Betting Age Checks

U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Jeff Van Drew introduced legislation that would require gaming companies to use facial recognition to verify players’ ages. The bill aims to prevent children from placing bets on online casinos, sportsbooks and prediction markets.

Gottheimer promoted the plan at a Capitol Hill event the week of July 13, 2026. Tarek Mansour, co-founder and CEO of prediction market Kalshi, endorsed the rule and said Kalshi already uses facial recognition for age verification. Gottheimer told washingtontimes.com that Congress should force all online casinos and betting markets to adopt the technology.

“If they refuse, the only excuse that I can come up with for them is that they want to target children. ” he said. “We’ve called them to make this commitment. ” The proposal follows several insider-trading cases on prediction markets.

Gabriel Perez, President Trump’s teleprompter operator, was accused of pocketing more than $100,000 from bets on Kalshi about presidential speeches. U.S. Gannon Ken Van Dyke was charged with winning more than $400,000 using inside knowledge of the raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Ex-reality TV star Mark Moran admitted betting on his own Senate candidacy and was suspended from Kalshi trading. George Santos faces a federal investigation for betting on his own attendance at the State of the Union. Prediction markets also recorded a surge in military-related trades shortly before U.S.

And Israel missile strikes on Iran, prompting a House oversight committee investigation. Mansour stated that Kalshi prohibits bets on military actions, war, terrorism or assassinations. He described outcomes such as the opening of the Strait of Hormuz as economic in nature.