BILL NUMBER: S5703

SPONSOR: SEPULVEDA
 
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:

2017-18: A.5083 - Referred to Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, S.8738:
Referred to Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
2015-16: A.7055 - Advanced to Third Reading Calendar
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Undetermined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take effect immediately.