Summary:
- NY gambling industry leaders met at Del Lago Casino to explore ways to curb problem gambling.
- The State Responsible Play Partnership announced new efforts to address problem gambling issues.
- Wants uniform reporting across all sports betting platforms.
A recent report from global health experts with The Lancet, one of the world’s highest-impact weekly peer-reviewed general medical and academic journals, has raised concerns over the rapid expansion of the real money gambling industry.
The Lancet Public Health Commission report released in October urged a stronger public health approach to mitigate potential harms.
New York State gambling industry leaders gathered Wednesday at Del Lago Casino to discuss steps toward reducing problematic gambling and promoting responsible gaming practices.
“Gambling Industry Portrays Itself As Harmless Entertainment’”
The NYS Gaming Commission’s executive director, Robert Williams, acknowledged the “fine line” that the Commission is walking on given its dual role as both a regulator of legalized gambling and an operator of the New York Lottery.
Williams, who was re-appointed and confirmed in his current position in 2019, referenced The Lancet report, speaking about the
raising concerns that the gambling industry portrays itself as ‘harmless entertainment’ while stressing the economic benefits it provides including the tax revenue and employment.
The report also emphasized that due to the borderless accessibility of online gambling, nearly 450 million people worldwide could be at risk.
In terms of net loss for consumers, the report’s findings showed the figure was expected to reach $700 billion by 2028.
The report also pointed out that commercial gambling stakeholders often employ strategies to influence public and policy perceptions, downplaying potential harm.
Williams acknowledged these issues, particularly the industry’s focus on social benefits funded by its profits, such as education or “other worthwhile causes”
We are guilty of that but we try to be mindful of the impacts on those who engage in problematic gambling so we deliberately and seriously try to balance our footprint
He also took the opportunity to express pride for the publicly raised concerns on this topic and the “prompt action” they have taken “to limit mobile sports advertising”.
State Responsible Play Partnership Introduces Self-Exclusion in November
The State Responsible Play Partnership, a collaboration between the Gaming Commission, Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), and the Council on Problem Gambling, outlined ongoing efforts to support those affected by gambling issues.
Starting November 12th, residents will have the option to exclude themselves from regulated gaming.
Williams went into detail to explain that their measures took into account a variety of self-exclusion processes, along with behavioral tracking of play patterns, warning messages, limits for losses and deposits, gambling and win times, and player pre-commitments to deposit losses.
The list also included Problem Gambling education and information and increased support services, which are critical amid the report’s findings that the portrayal of gambling does not fully reflect its potential impacts on mental, physical, and financial health.
OASAS director Dr. Chinazo Cunningham shared statistics since the introduction of mobile sports betting in New York, showing over 4.2 million accounts with more than 2.6 billion transactions.
He also spoke about the over 100 private practitioners, 35 outpatient clinics featuring gambling designations, and state-run addiction treatment centers aimed at treating problem gambling.
The Commission is also pushing for new regulations requiring sports wagering operators to provide annual data, which will better inform the state’s understanding of unmet needs.
Williams explained staff had been “hampered by the lack of uniformity in the scope and manner in which licensees had reported data” when compiling the first reports.
He expressed their belief that “uniform reporting across all sports wagering platforms” would help collect “useful information for the statutorily required report”.
Another strategy discussed by the Commission regarded training for gaming industry workers on identifying and interacting with potential problem gamblers.
The New York Council on Problem Gambling’s executive director, Jim Maney, spoke about the “top-notch, unbelievable” online casino employee training created by the Council, OASAS, and the Gaming Commission which they hope “all industry” will eventually embrace.
Maney also expressed hope that Del Lago will be the pioneer to use it.
Seneca County’s Mental Health Director also emphasized Del Lago’s partnership in supporting responsible play initiatives and connecting residents with the help they need, regardless of their financial situation.
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