The New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) believes $20 million would be adequate to address its needs as online sports betting in the state moves closer to launch.
Problem gambling services are slated to receive $6 million in additional funding for 2022. But the NYCPG said in an August statement that figure wasn’t enough.
NY State Sen. Joseph Addabbo hopes that legal sports betting apps will be up and running in the state by the Feb. 13, 2022 Super Bowl.
The NY State Gaming Commission may hear formal presentations from applicants starting Sept. 1.
How problem gambling would allocate the $20 million
In an August email to PlayNY, the NYCPG explained how it would utilize the $20 million it would like to receive in order to adequately address problem gambling.
- Prevention ($5 million)
“Strategies would target vulnerable, high-risk populations. Adolescents, young adults, seniors, ethnic and linguistic minorities, prison population, those with substance use disorders and other mental health issues.”
- Intervention ($7 million)
“Efforts to intervene include increasing community awareness through media outreach, education sessions, professional training, screening, and referral services. Helpline services and online tools.”
- Treatment ($5 million)
“Crisis care, outpatient treatment, residential treatment, after care, and relapse prevention.”
- Research ($1 million)
“To investigate the public health consequences of gambling in New York and support rigorous ongoing surveillance and evaluation to measure the impact of expanded gambling. And provide valuable information to target programming to those most affected.”
- Recovery ($2 million)
“To ensure those who have been able to reduce or eliminate the harm caused by their gambling behaviors have adequate support. To remain gambling free and continue to improve both their individual and family life circumstances.”
NYCPG’s recommendation for the $6 million
- Problem gambling treatment ($500,000)
- Stand-alone, 24-7 problem gambling helpline ($500,000)
- Improved voluntary self-exclusion services statewide ($500,000)
- Professional education and assisting community level workers in problem gambling prevention ($2 million)
- Annual public awareness campaigns and program marketing ($2.5 million)
Based on the national average (3-4 percent), NYCPG estimates that there could be 600,000 New Yorkers struggling with problem gambling.
September is National Recovery Month
The NYCPG is raising awareness of recovery from problem gambling during Recovery Month.
Its theme: “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Everything Community.”
According to the NYCPG, gambling disorder most often occurs with people who have anxiety and depression. However, only about 10% of people with gambling disorder reach out to help.
The recovery process involves connections from communities, family members, and co-workers. The screening process is also key.
It involves asking three questions:
- During the past 12 months, have you become restless irritable, or anxious when trying to stop/cut down on gambling?
- During the past 12 months, have you tried to keep your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled?
- During the past 12 months did you have such financial trouble as a result of your gambling that you had to get help with living expenses from family, friends, or welfare?
