Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo’s Office
Addabbo is chairman of the Senate Committee on Racing,
Gaming and Wagering.
By Michael V. Cusenza
With March comes Madness—and Problem Gambling Awareness Month, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), noted on Thursday.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering also detailed on Thursday the three pieces of legislation related to problem gambling that he has introduced in Albany’s Upper Chamber: S.1978, which passed the Senate last month, would establish a legislative task force on responsible gaming; S.1977, which has been referred to the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, would require the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to develop a problem gambling education program that all individuals must complete before their removal from any self-inclusion list; and S.1979 would prohibit individuals under the age of 21 from gambling. The organization Youth Gambling International found that young adults from 18 to 21 are three-times more likely to have problems associated with gambling. This measure is currently in the Senate Committee on Racing, Wagering and Gaming.
“Problem Gambling Awareness Month serves as a reminder that gambling addiction is real and requires effective resources to educate, support and treat individuals,” Addabbo added. “With March Madness upon us, we want to inform the public about problem gambling. Every year during March Madness there is a spike in both gambling and gambling addiction helpline calls. I continue my steadfast commitment to manage gaming responsibly in New York.”
Additionally, a coalition of NY’s Gaming Commission, State agencies, retailers, and commercial casino operators recently announced the launch of March initiatives to generate awareness and remove the gambling addiction stigma throughout New York. For tools to tackle gambling and make educated decisions, visit the new ny.gov/NYResponsibleGaming program page. Another valuable resource, according to Addabbo, is New York’s (877) 8HOPE-NY addictions support and referral service; text option: HOPENY (467369).
“The expansion of gaming in NYS, including Resorts World Casino in my district, demonstrates the importance of local jobs, educational funding, economic growth and also the need for educational programs that can help better inform our citizens of gambling addiction,” the senator said. “It is vitally important that we continue to provide a safe racing, gaming and wagering environment in New York.”
Gaming in the Empire State is on the precipice of expanding exponentially. In May 2018, the Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting. Meanwhile, Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced that the State is facing an unexpected $2.3 billion shortfall, in addition to the $3 billion deficit NY was already facing going into next year.
“Now more than ever it makes sense to legalize sports betting to help fund essential programs by bringing in additional revenue,” Addabbo said last month. “We should act now to create new wagering opportunities, including mobile and online betting, to help close the gap.”
