appropriation; department of gaming; telehealth

SB1251 - appropriation; department of gaming; telehealth

Budget Healthcare Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Thomas "T.J." Shope
Last action: 2026-01-22
Official status: Senate second read
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Money for Problem Gambling Help

This bill gives money from lottery funds to the Department of Gaming to start a telehealth app program that helps people with gambling problems.

What This Bill Does

Gives $2,000,000 each year from the state lottery fund to the Department of Gaming for two years starting in fiscal year 2026-2027.
The money is used to work with a digital health company to create an app that helps people who have gambling problems.
The app will offer tools like self-guided activities, real-time support, and educational content about gambling addiction.

Who It Names or Affects

People in Arizona who need help for gambling problems.
Digital health companies working with the Department of Gaming to create a telehealth app.

Terms To Know

Telehealth: Healthcare services provided through technology, like apps or video calls.
Public-private partnership: A collaboration between the government and a private company to work on a project together.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how many people will use the app.
It is unclear if the program will continue after fiscal year 2027-2028.

Bill History

2026-01-22 Senate
Senate second read
2026-01-21 Senate
Senate Rules: None
2026-01-21 Senate
Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology: None
2026-01-21 Senate
Senate first read

Official Summary Text

SB1251 - appropriation; department of gaming; telehealth

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB1251 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
appropriation; department of gaming; telehealth

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SB 1251

Introduced by

Senator
Shope

AN
ACT

APPROPRIATING MONIES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
GAMING.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.
Appropriation;
department of gaming; problem gambling telehealth pilot program; annual report

A. The sum of $2,000,000 is
appropriated from the state lottery fund established by section 5-571, Arizona
Revised Statutes, in each of fiscal years 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 to the
department of gaming for problem gambling telehealth pilot program.� This
amount consists of monies remaining in the state lottery fund that would
otherwise be deposited in the state general fund pursuant to section 5-572,
subsection G, Arizona Revised Statutes.

B. The department of gaming
shall use the monies appropriated in subsection A of this section to enter into
a public-private partnership with a digital health organization to provide a
mobile-based telehealth application prioritizing a vendor that offers a digital
front door model, providing immediate, no-cost access to users without the
requirement of traditional insurance billing at the point-of-service. The
application shall provide the following services to residents of this state:

1. Self-guided clinical
activities and behavioral tracking tools.

2. Real-time urge
monitoring and peer-support community features.

3. Educational content
developed by experts in gambling addiction.

4. Specific interfaces for
the support networks and family members of those struggling with gambling
addiction.

5. Integration capabilities
with existing state-funded treatment assistance programs.

C. On or before December
31, 2026 and each year thereafter through December 31, 2029, the department of
gaming shall submit a report regarding the pilot program's efficacy, including
the number of active users, engagement metrics and self-reported recovery
outcomes to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the
house of representatives.