What's happening
This bill requires a statewide evaluation of gambling participation and losses among New York residents, broken down by demographics.
Why it matters
Detailed demographic data. By breaking down gambling participation and losses by age, race, income, education, and sex, the evaluation will help policymakers and advocates understand which groups are most impacted by gambling, allowing for more targeted public health interventions.
Comprehensive scope. The evaluation covers all major forms of gambling—lottery, horse racing, Native American casinos, internet gambling, sports betting, and poker—providing a complete picture of gambling behaviors rather than focusing on just one sector.
Independent and transparent process. Requiring the study to be conducted by an independent entity chosen through a request for proposal (RFP) process helps ensure the findings are credible, unbiased, and useful for shaping evidence-based policy.
Foundation for future action. The data collected could influence future legislation, funding for addiction services, and regulatory approaches, especially if certain demographics are found to be at higher risk for gambling-related harm.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study New Yorkers' Gambling Habits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study Gambling in New York
In Senate Committee · Alcoholism And Drug Abuse · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8738
IN SENATE
May 10, 2018
Introduced by Sen. SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to commissioning a statewide evaluation regarding the extent of gambling by New York state residents
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 19.09 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new subdivision (k) to read as follows:
(k) The commissioner, in consultation with the New York state gaming commission, is authorized and directed to commission a statewide evaluation regarding the extent of gambling by New York state residents, including, but not limited to the lottery, horse racing, Native American casinos, internet gambling, sports betting, and poker. Such evaluation shall be delivered to the governor and legislature no later than December first, two thousand twenty-one. The evaluation shall be prepared by an independent entity and selected through a request for proposal process. Such evaluation shall include:
(1) the percentage of New York residents participating in each gambling activity by:
(a) age;
(b) race;
(c) income;
(d) education;
(e) sex; and
(f) any other demographic that would be relevant to the evaluation; and
(2) an estimate of the amount of money being wagered and lost by New York residents in each gambling activity.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05417-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to commissioning a statewide evaluation regarding the extent of gambling by New York state residents
Purpose
This bill determines the extent to which New York state residents utilize gambling opportunities as well as the financial effect of such gambling activity.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends Section 19.09 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new subdivision (j).
Section two sets forth the effective date.
Justification
A survey conducted by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) found that five percent of adults, or 668,000 individuals, exhibited problem gambling behaviors within the past year. Another survey of seventh through twelfth grade students revealed that ten percent, or 140,000 students, showed signs of problem gambling in the past 12 months and another ten percent of those students were in need of treatment for problem gambling. Of those students in the survey who were identified as in need of chemical dependency treatment, forty five percent were at risk or in need of treatment for problem gambling.
Research has found that proximity to casinos increases the rate of prob- lem gambling among the local population. The National Gambling Impact Study Commission showed that casinos within a 50 mile radius of an indi- vidual's home can double the prevalence of problem gambling. The Buffalo Research Institute on Addiction, in its own study, claimed that having a casino within 10 miles of a home has a significant effect on problem gambling. Currently, New York State has five casinos operated by Native Americans and nine independently operated racinos; combined they operate approximately 29,000 electronic gambling machines, which is more than any state in the Northeast or Midwest. New York continues to expand its existing gaming market with the addition of up to four new casinos, which could increase significantly the risk of more individuals develop- ing a gambling problem.
It is important that New York State conduct evaluations that determine the prevalence of problem gambling and illustrate the need for prevention and treatment services. Obtaining this data will enable the problem gambling service providers to better understand and reach out to citizens who may be experiencing problem gambling issues across the state.
Legislative history
2015-16: A.7055 - Advanced to Third Reading Calendar
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This bill shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.