Addabbo comments on press conference to promote responsible gaming

“It is crucial that as we seek to legally and credibly expand gaming in New York, that we also grow our problem gaming resources. When mobile sports betting went live last year, we ensured that operators had safeguards included in their apps like the freezing of accounts when a user hit $2,500 in lifetime deposits, and made advertising efforts to include problem gaming messaging and the HOPEline number.

But our work wasn’t over. In addition to these regulations, new rules were recently approved by the NYS Gaming Commission that better regulate gambling advertising so it does not target younger residents, and providing an opt out option so you do not see these ads.

During Problem Gambling Awareness Month, we want to start looking at problem gaming as not just an addiction issue, but digging deeper than that and seeing it as a mental health issue. When we see gambling addiction as a mental health issue, we can find new ways to treat it and provide more people with not just help, but hope.

I want to thank the New York State Gaming Commission, the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and the NY Council on Problem Gambling for hosting the conference and educating the people on what problem gaming is, what the signs are and highlighting the services New York State provides to both prevent and treat problem gaming. I look forward to continuing our work together to raise awareness of problem gaming in New York.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call the free, confidential, 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369).”