New York Senate Passes Legislation to Amend Gambling Advertising Regulations

This bill, which aims to amend regulations on gambling advertisements, has now moved to the Assembly, where it is being considered as Assembly Bill 1118 (AB1118). The legislation mandates that all gambling and sports betting advertisements include warnings about the potentially harmful and addictive effects of gambling.

Scope of the Bill

The bill’s requirements extend to a wide range of gaming activities, including racinos, parimutuel wagering, fantasy sports, and video lottery venues.

If enacted, these regulations will require the New York State Gaming Commission to collaborate with the New York Office of Addiction Services and Supports to develop clear and effective messaging on the risks associated with gambling.

This includes prominently displaying the state’s problem gambling hotline — 1-877-8-HOPENY — in all advertisements.

The proposed legislation seeks to ensure that gaming advertisements in New York present the risks of gambling products transparently, similar to how tobacco products are regulated. The New York State Gaming Commission would also be tasked with providing information and technical support regarding the advertising guidelines on its website.

Other Legislative Efforts

In addition to SB1550/AB1118, several other gambling-related bills are approaching the legislative deadline of June 6, 2024:

Senate Bill 9236: This bill proposes that 1% of the sports betting tax revenue be allocated to problem gambling treatment programs, with an additional 2% directed towards youth sports. Currently, this bill remains in Senate committees and is unlikely to pass this session.

Senate Bill 9044: Aiming to raise the minimum age for participating in fantasy sports from 18 to 21, this bill is also stalled in committee and not expected to move forward this year.