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State of Play
- New York’s plan to introduce three new casinos promises economic benefits but raises concerns about gambling addiction.
- With growing evidence of increased gambling-related harms, this development highlights the urgent need for stronger protections for players and communities.
- Addressing addiction proactively is key as sports betting becomes more accessible statewide and lawmakers eye adding online casinos in 2026.
The introduction of three new casinos in New York is set to boost tourism, tax revenue, job creation, and community development.
However, alongside these benefits, there is a pressing public health concern: a rise in gambling addiction.
Since sports betting legalization in 2017, New Yorkers seeking help for gambling problems surged by 37%, reflecting a broader national increase of 23%. Research consistently shows that proximity to gambling venues correlates with higher gambling rates and greater financial and mental health struggles.
Problem gambling often coexists with other mental health disorders, increasing risks such as suicide and social issues including family breakdown and crime. With New York’s poverty and homelessness rates rising, unchecked gambling addiction could worsen these challenges significantly.
The state will soon be under immense pressure to provide more responsible gambling resources.
New Yorkers with gambling problems has risen significantly
Currently, about 4.3% of New Yorkers are estimated to have gambling problems – a dramatic rise from 0.7% in 2020 – driven partly by the state’s lead in mobile sports wagering, which topped nearly $60 billion in bets by January 2025.
While casino operators have some obligations to intervene with problem gamblers, much of the burden falls on state agencies, and currently allocated resources appear insufficient.
The state’s $6 million annual funding from sports betting revenue for addiction treatment is inadequate against the growing demand. Practical steps include expanding education on gambling risks, bolstering tailored treatment access, and pushing legislative measures for insurance coverage of outpatient gambling disorder treatments, as proposed by Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
Though, it should be noted that Addabbo is also leading the charge to legalize online casinos in the Empire State, which could produce even more problem gambling. Addabbo led the effort last year to ban sweepstakes casinos.
Based on reporting by Sherry Tucker for amNY.
