Designates an individual who has been convicted of certain crimes or of certain offenses involving sports contests, horse races or wagering thereon…

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Toby Ann Stavisky says this is needed

In recent years, sports betting has grown rapidly across the United States following the expansion of legalized sports wagering. While this growth has generated significant economic activity, it has also led to a sharp increase in harassment, threats, and abusive conduct directed at athletes, coaches, officials, and other participants in sporting events by individuals connected to sports wagering. Reports from the NCAA and other organizations have documented widespread abuse directed at student-athletes and sports officials, particularly through social media and electronic communications. Athletes have reported receiving threats, intimidation, racist remarks, sexually abusive messages, stalking, and harassment from individuals upset over betting outcomes. According to data released during recent NCAA tournaments, thousands of abusive messages were directed at athletes and participants, many of which referenced gambling activity or betting losses. This conduct creates serious concerns for the safety, mental health, and well-being of athletes and sports participants. The growing accessibil- ity of online sports wagering has increased opportunities for individ- uals to target players, coaches, and officials directly following sport- ing events. This legislation establishes consequences for individuals who engage in criminal conduct connected to sports wagering by prohibiting them from participating in legal sports betting activities in New York State. The bill creates a clear regulatory framework allowing the Gaming Commission to designate certain individuals as prohibited sports bettors following qualifying convictions or qualifying orders of protection. The legis- lation also establishes standardized prohibition periods while preserv- ing due process protections and ensuring that constitutionally protected speech is not impacted. By creating additional safeguards against harassment and intimidation connected to sports wagering, this bill helps protect the integrity of sporting events and supports the safety and well-being of athletes, coaches, officials, and participants.

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.