Addabbo praises Gaming Commission for national recognition on its problem gambling PSA

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. is praising the New York State Gaming Commission for the recognition it received from the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) for its 30-second “Falls Into Place” Public Service Announcement (PSA) on problem gambling.

As the Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, Addabbo has been leading the push to get state officials to allow mobile sports betting which would bring in millions of dollars in revenue for educational funding and other important aspects of our state. However, Addabbo understands that promoting gaming and pushing for mobile sports betting goes hand-in-hand with raising problem-gambling awareness and funding problem-gambling programs.

“The New York State Gaming Commission did a wonderful job on their radio PSA about problem gaming, offering hope to those who have lost control of their gaming to where it is negatively affecting their lives,” Addabbo said. “Aside from just providing a hopeful message, the PSA goes further and gives listeners two follow-up options in a website to obtain help with problem gaming, and a phone number to call in order to address any issues they may be having with gaming.”

One of the options is the Commission’s new Responsible Gambling webpage, which provides users with a number of confidential sell-assessment tools and identifies additional resources that can help gamblers recognize the signs of gambling addiction. The PSA also promotes the 1-877-8-HOPENY addictions referral helpline for those in need of immediate help.

Addabbo is doing his part to help promote problem gaming awareness, while pushing to bring mobile sports betting to New York.

As part of Addabbo’s Senate bill (S.17D), in Section 1 of the bill looking to amend section 1367 of the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law, it will require the State Gaming Commission to promulgate rules mandating that operators implement responsible gaming programs, including programs to address potential problem gambling for individuals under the age of thirty. The bill also provides a new funding source to administer problematic gaming programs.

“We all know gaming and betting on sports can be a fun pastime and can even lead to some financial gains, but when it becomes an obsession and begins affecting players’ lives, it becomes a problem,” Addabbo said. “I will make sure that if we bring mobile sports wagering to New York, we will bring problem-gambling programs with it to assist those who already have problem gaming issues, help identify the signs of problem gaming, and ways to prevent problem gambling from hurting people.”

For more information on problem gambling, visit https://www.ny.gov/programs/responsible-gaming, or call 1-877-8-HOPENY.