Prohibits mobile sports wagering operators or platform providers from permitting, accepting, or facilitating placement of a sports wager through a mobile…

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic1

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◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Andrew Gounardes says this is needed

This legislation builds on previous laws passed by the State of New York to place reasonable restrictions on mobile sports betting on undergradu- ate campuses in New York State. When New York State first legalized betting on sports events, they excluded sports betting for any college match within the boundaries of the state or involving a New York State team, even if the tournament occurred out of state (see PML § 1367(1)(s). This was done to protect the integrity of collegiate sports in New York State and to prevent our student athletes from the harass- ment and corruption that this billion dollar industry often rains down on the competitors that are the subject of or involved in the sports bet. Furthermore, PML §1367-a(4)(3) bars mobile sports betting platforms from deliberately targeting minors below legal sports betting age, which in the state of New York is 21. Roughly 40% of students on the average college campus are under 21 Despite the legislature's best efforts, research from the National Coun- cil on Problem Gambling indicates that individuals ages 18 to 24 experi- ence problem gambling rates two to three times higher than the general population. That vulnerability is especially significant in college environments, where young adults are navigating academic demands while managing independent finances for the first time. College campuses are designed to support long-term educational and financial development, yet the availability of unrestricted mobile sports wagering in that setting introduces a high-risk activity into a population statistically more susceptible to harm. This heightened exposure is driven in part by ongo- ing neurological development and increased peer influence, placing gambling access directly inside an environment otherwise structured to promote stability and success. The rapid expansion of mobile sports wagering has fundamentally changed how gambling is accessed. Unlike traditional venues, wagering is now available at all times through personal devices, removing many of the natural barriers that once limited participation. On college campuses, where social networks are dense and competitive peer culture is strong, this accessibility can normalize high-frequency betting behavior and escalate risk before students recognize the consequences. Financial strain tied to gambling can quickly translate into academic disruption, credit damage, and long-term economic harm that extends well beyond graduation. These impacts are not theoretical and are increasingly being documented by campus counseling centers and public health researchers examining gambling trends among young adults. This legislation does not prohibit lawful sports wagering in New York State. Instead, it establishes a narrowly tailored geographic safeguard focused on a population with demonstrated vulnerability. Mobile wager- ing platforms already use geolocation and geofencing technology to block activity in unauthorized states, tribal jurisdictions, and restricted facilities. The bill relies on this same existing infrastructure to create a campus boundary standard, giving operators until August 1, 2027 to implement compliance. The technology is proven, widely deployed, and compatible with current regulatory practices. This is a targeted appli- cation of tools the industry already accepts as routine. Limiting wagering activity within campus boundaries aligns gambling policy with 'the broader framework colleges already use to regulate high-risk behavior. Institutions routinely restrict alcohol access, tobacco use, and other activities within campus settings in order to protect student welfare. Applying a similar principle to mobile sports wagering recognizes that prevention is most effective when risk exposure is reduced at the point of access. By separating gambling activity from academic environments, the legislation helps ensure that educational institutions remain spaces centered on learning and personal development rather than financial

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.