Addabbo acknowledges that March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., Chair of the NYS Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, recognizes the importance of providing education and resources for gambling addiction.

“Problem Gambling Awareness Month serves as a reminder that gambling addiction is real and requires effective resources to educate, support and treat individuals,” said Addabbo. “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.”

Addabbo introduced three Senate bills relating to problem gambling:

• Establishes a legislative task force on responsible gaming.  The bill passed the Senate on February 11, 2019 (S.1978)
• Requires the 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. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (S.1977)
• Prohibits 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. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Racing, Wagering and Gaming (S.1979).

A collaboration 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 problem gambling addiction stigma throughout New York State. Individuals can find valuable tools about gambling and making educated decisions on the new WWW.NY.GOV/NYResponsibleGaming program page. Another valuable resource is New York’s 1-877-8HOPE-NY addictions support and referral service or their texting 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 addictions. It is vitally important that we continue to provide a safe racing, gaming and wagering environment in New York,” said Addabbo.