Establishes the task force on responsible gaming

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Legislative findings. With the proposed New York State Constitutional amendment to expand casino gaming in New York State, the state needs to also focus on establishing a coherent public policy to ensure that individuals gamble responsibly and that measures are instituted to provide services for those who have problem gambling conditions.

Section 2: Establishes the Task Force on Responsible Gaming. This Task Force shall:

a. identify policies and programs that can help to mitigate the risks and consequences associated with compulsive gambling conditions and to promote responsible gambling practices. b. make recommendations on laws that need to be enacted or rules to be promulgated to promote responsible gambling habits at gaming facilities licensed by the State. c. identify methods to measure the effectiveness of the responsible gaming policies adopted by the State.

Section 3: Composition of the Task Force. The Task Force shall have 9 members who have experience in: a) identifying and preventing problem or compulsive gambling, b) treatment programs for problem gamblers, and c) the administration of problem gambling programs with a gaming facility.

The Task Force shall be composed of 2 members appointed by the Temporary president of the Senate and of the Speaker of the Assembly, and commissioner, director, or their designee from the following state agencies, Alcoholism and substance Abuse Services, New York State Gaming Commission, Division of Lottery, Division of Gaming, and the Division of Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering. The chair shall be designated by the Governor.

Section 4: Task Force members shall not receive compensation for their services.

Section 5: The Task Force shall issue a report on its findings and recommendations no later than April 1, 2014 to the Governor, Temporary President of the Senate, and Speaker of the Assembly.

Justification

This year a bill passed the State Legislature to start the process to amend the NYS Constitution to allow for non-tribal casino gaming in New York. Also the State Budget enacted this year included provisions to merge the Division of Lottery and the Racing and Wagering Board to create the New York State Gaming Commission.

The new Gaming Commission will be comprised of an executive director and seven members that must have no less than five years administrative experience in public or business administration and one or more qualifications in the following areas: (1) significant service as a certified public accountant; (2) knowledge of corporate finance and securities; (3) professional experience in gaming regulation administration or management; and (4) experience in fields of criminal investigation, law, or law enforcement.

While New York State appears to have the necessary administrative structure in place to ensure casino gaming will be properly regulated, be financially successful, and maintain integrity and fairness with all gaming activity, there remains no internal controls to make certain that gaming policies exist which promote responsible gaming practices. The New York State Commission, as it is currently formed and its divisions may be ill prepared or could lack the knowledge and experience needed to address issues that are related to problem gambling. This could potentially result in severe consequences to individuals who may have problem gambling conditions, their families, and loved ones.

According to national gambling impact studies, gambling addictions can increase within a 50-mile radius of a casino. Further, bankruptcy rates can be higher in communities with casinos. Additionally, the increased incidence of problem gambling conditions can result in an increase in a myriad of other problems such as financial distress of families associated with a compulsive gambler and can lead to higher incidences of public health problems such as drug addiction, domestic violence, divorce, child abuse and crime.

Establishing this Task Force should help to advance the prospect for developing and implementing a coherent responsible gaming policy for this State and to foster responsible gaming practices by gaming facilities licensed by this State and to mitigate the risks or consequences associated with problem gambling.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill which is similar to A.10054-A (Cymbrowitz)

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediate.