NY’s Responsible Play Partnership Announces Additional Collaborative Measures to Prevent Problem Gambling

 

Gaming Commission proposes regulations requiring mobile sports wagering operators to report statistics and demographic info

New York State’s Responsible Play Partnership (RPP) – the New York State Gaming Commission (Commission), the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), and the New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) –  announced significant collaborative measures to prevent problem gambling.

The RPP’s latest actions include providing prompt counseling to gamblers who find themselves in crisis, ensuring that gaming industry workers are properly trained to identify and interact with potential problem gamblers, and collecting specific data from mobile sports wagering operators to better research its impact on New Yorkers.

RPP members discussed the enhancements at del Lago Resort & Casino in Waterloo, where local problem gambling service providers and facility management shared resources and discussed their collaboration to provide services in the Finger Lakes and Central New York regions. 

Commission Executive Director Robert Williams said, “The RPP was formed to bridge the gaps between all stakeholders to address problem gambling. These latest spans bring timely help to those who need it, ensure that industry employees know how to address the issue, and ensure that we are obtaining meaningful data to properly scope mobile sports wagering’s reach.” 

OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “New York State has instituted protections to guard against problem gambling, as well as help individuals affected find the help they need. We will continue to work with our colleagues in the Responsible Play Partnership to expand and enhance these supports, improve training on how to promote responsible gambling, and ensure that all New Yorkers can access help and support.”

NYCPG Executive Director Jim Maney said, “Casino industry staff are the front line when it comes to problem gambling and ensuring they are well trained to identify those who are struggling and offer the proper assistance is key.  After several months of collaborative development with OASAS and the Gaming Commission we are proud to release this comprehensive, online and on demand training to all casino staff in New York State.”

Seneca County Director of Community Services Margaret Morse said, “Seneca County would like to commend del Lago for their commitment to community prevention efforts, responsible play messaging and support for treatment access to individuals impacted by problem gambling. We look forward to our continued partnership in these efforts.”

Finger Lakes Problem Gambling Resource Council Program Manager Evan Ellison said, “The Finger Lakes PGRC was proud to be part of this RPP event. Helping those who have been negatively impacted by problem gambling on a local level creates positive outcomes for both our families and communities. We look forward to our continued work together to ensure our efforts are meaningful.”

del Lago Resort & Casino General Manager and Executive Vice President Lance Young said, “del Lago staff is dedicated to delivering world-class hospitality, and ensuring our guests have access to responsible gaming resources is a pillar of that. Across our entertainment facilities, our team strives to provide the level of personal service that allows them to recognize the signs of problem behavior and connect guests with the resources that can help. We thank our state and local partners for their work with us to promote responsible play and provide support for those who need it.”

Voluntary Self-Exclusion with HOPELine Opt-In Function

New York State’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion program allows an individual to bar themselves from participating in any regulated gaming in the state. Beginning November 12, 2024, when an individual self-excludes from gaming opportunities in New York State, they may opt-in to being contacted in a timely manner by a trained gambling harms staff from the OASAS HOPEline. All calls are free and confidential.

Updated Problem Gambling Training for Gaming Employees

The NYCPG has completed new, comprehensive training to educate those who work in New York State’s gaming industry on best practices to promote responsible gaming. The NYCPG’s training program identifies the symptoms, evidence and warning signs of problem gambling behavior, and how to interact with individuals who may be in crisis. The training also includes an overview of the applicable statutes and regulations, as well as findings from OASAS research.

Mobile Sports Wagering Data Collection Rulemaking

The Commission and OASAS are required to report annually on “the impact of mobile sports wagering on problem gamblers in New York, including, to the extent practicable, an analysis of demographics which are disproportionately impacted by the problem gambling.” The Commission and OASAS found the 2022 and 2023 reports that several mobile sports wagering operators have not consistently maintained such information in a manner to appropriately gauge which populations are participating in mobile sports wagering and how they wager.

Therefore, the Commission proposed regulations requiring sports wagering operators to report specific data to the Commission each year, including: Total amount wagered and number of bets placed; Total amount and number of bets won; Total amount wagered on each sport; Total number of accounts, including new accounts created and average account balances; and the total number of accounts permanently closed and the number of self-exclusions

For each account, the proposed regulations require each sports wagering skin to provide to the Commission: The zip code; Total amount wagered; Number of bets placed; Money won or lost; Time on the platform; Number of times they access the responsible play webpage; Number of times they reach the statutory deposit betting-pause threshold and what action the player took; and the day of the week and hour of day the most wagers are placed and most money is wagered. The proposed regulation also requires operators to provide account holders’ gender and race and ethnicity, if voluntarily provided. Text of the rule may be found here.

About the Responsible Play Partnership

The RPP was formed to bring all stakeholders together to address problem gambling, including bridging the gap between gaming facility operators and problem gambling treatment providers. The RPP works to ensure that all gaming entities in the state comply with all rules and regulations and provide access to help for individuals who need it. The RPP continues to collaborate to advance New York’s ongoing commitment to prevent and treat problem gambling.

Those seeking help can call New York State’s free and confidential HOPEline 24/7 at 1-877-8- HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or text HOPENY (467369).