The New York Senate has approved legislation that could create a Problem Gambling Advisory Council. If the bill makes its way through the Assembly as well, the new state agency would provide lawmakers and other agencies with guidance on combatting gambling addiction.
One of the main duties the bill assigns to the council is providing recommendations on how New York’s gambling tax revenues should be allocated to problem gambing awareness and harm reduction initiatives. Although existing state agencies can perform some of the same functions, this legislation would enshrine requirements associated with preventing disordered gaming.
SB 3632 advances to Assembly
On March 25, the New York Senate unanimously approved SB 3632, which is now with the New York Assembly’s Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee. The legislation does have an Assembly companion, AB 2151.
AB 2151 has been with the same committee since its introduction on Jan. 15. The bills call for the Problem Gambling Advisory Council to be composed of 13 people, all of whom would be appointed by either the governor or members of the legislature.
SB 3632 requires bi-annual meetings at minimum for the council and lays out six responsibilities for its members.
Compulsory tasks for the potential council
The six tasks that SB 3632 assigns to the Problem Gambling Advisory Council would place new emphasis on matters related to problem gambling that current state agencies might not have the resources to address on the same level. The duties are:
- Develop and recommend strategies to ensure access to resources for people who struggle with gambling-related behavioral issues
- Consult with experts in the field
- Create public awareness campaigns
- Recommend allocation of tax dollars earmarked for responsible gambling programs
- Examine the impact of online sports wagering on problem gambling in New York
- Produce an annual report for the governor and legislature
This is the latest attempt by New York legislators to increase resources for and public programming around responsible gambling in the state. Previous measures have had varying degrees of success.
SB 3632 represents progress on resource expansion
In 2024, similar legislation that would have ramped up funding for problem gambling treatment resources in New York never saw a vote on the New York Senate floor. SB 3632’s unanimous passage by the Senate thus represents progress on the issue even if the bill never proceeds from its current Assembly committee.
October 2024 saw the state enact a new law requiring gambling advertisements to include new warnings about the dangers of problem gambling. That law did not include any new funding, however.
SB 3632 follows that vein as it only gives the suggested council leverage to recommend how to spend existing tax dollars that are designated for responsible gambling treatment. Those decisions will still ultimately lie with the governor and legislature, though.
At the same time, enshrining the creation of reports and other activity around the promotion of responsible gambling can help put the issue front-of-mind for those state officials. With that emphasis, New York may be able to use the existing funds more efficiently and push harder for resource expansion in subsequent years.
