Establishes the problem gambling advisory council

• Democratic6

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Nathalia Fernandez says this is needed

A survey conducted by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) found that five percent of adults, or 668,000 individuals, exhibited problem gambling behaviors within the past year. Another survey of seventh through twelfth grade students revealed that ten percent, or 140,000 students, showed signs of problem gambling in the past 12 months and another ten percent of those students were in need of treatment for problem gambling. Of those students in the survey who were identified as in need of chemical dependency treatment, forty five percent were at risk or in need of treatment for problem gambling. Research has found that proximity to casinos increases the rate of prob- lem gambling among the local population. The National Gambling Impact Study Commission showed that casinos within a 50 mile radius of an indi- vidual's home can double the prevalence of problem gambling. The Buffalo Research Institute on Addiction, in its own study, claimed that having a casino within 10 miles of a home has a significant effect on the preva- lence of problem gambling in the home. Currently, New York State has five casinos operated by Native Americans and nine independently oper- ated racinos; combined they operate approximately 29,000 electronic gambling machines, which is more than any state in the Northeast or Midwest. New York continues to expand its existing gaming market with the addition of up to four new casinos, which could increase signif- icantly the risk of more individuals developing a gambling problem. It is evident that there is a growing need to promote awareness of and access to problem gambling services. The development of a Problem Gambl- ing Advisory Council will help to identify issues affecting those suffering from a problem gambling disorder and recommend ways to make prevention and treatment more accessible throughout the state. As part of the enacted legislation that established the ability for new casino development in New York, the Legislature required casinos to deposit $500 annually into the Commercial Gaming Revenue Fund for every slot machine or table approved by the Commission. Such funds are required to be used exclusively for problem gambling education and treatment purposes. While such an infusion of resources to fund services for problem gambling will be instrumental, it is imperative that there is proper oversight to ensure the resources are used as effectively as possible.

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.