The New York Gaming Association is supporting legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn) and Senator Jeffrey Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), Chairs of the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committees that would put measures into place to address problem gambling.
“New York does gaming the right way. Gaming venues are sensibly located, thoughtfully, regulated, and operated in a socially responsible, economically reliable way that promotes the interests of all of New York citizens. For most people going to a casino is a benign form of entertainment but for a small percentage it can be a problem that has a negative impact on their lives,” James Featherstonhaugh, president of the New York Gaming Association said. “The New York Gaming Association wants to protect New Yorkers by ensuring that the proper information and services are available to them if they are in need. The bills put forth by Assemblyman Cymbrowitz and Senator Klein are common sense approaches to address these needs. As the gaming market is evolving in New York State with the creation of the new Gaming Commission and potential passage of a constitutional amendment to allow for full commercial gaming, the time to put measures in place to address these issues is now.”
The package of bills introduced by Assemblyman Cymbrowitz and Senator Klein includes:
A.10023 (Cymbrowitz) – S.7305 (Klein) would require at least one of the Gaming Commission’s seven board members significant experience in the prevention and treatment of compulsive gambling.
A.10024 (Cymbrowitz) – S.7300 (Klein) would require gambling facilities to post signs in a prominent manner within reasonable proximity to every exit and entrance of a gambling facility.
A.10025-A (Cymbrowitz) would require the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to develop a problem gambling education program that all individuals, prior to being removed from any self-exclusion list must complete.
A.10054-A (Cymbrowitz) would establish the New York State Legislative Task Force on responsible gaming which will provide recommendations to the New York State Gaming Commission and each Division on issues related to the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.
“I applaud the New York Gaming Association for its leadership within the gaming industry. By acknowledging the importance of effective responsible gaming programs and practices, I believe we have taken a critical step towards ensuring that individuals that are experiencing problem gambling are connected with the resources available to them,” Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, Chairman of the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee said.
“As we consider an expansion of statewide casino offerings, we must be mindful of the impact that problem gambling can have on New York families affected by it,” Senator Jeffrey Klein, Chairman of the Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee said. “By developing new programs to address problem gambling, and by providing our state’s Gaming Commission with expert insight into its treatment, we are equipping our state with better tools to help tackle this problem. I am pleased that the New York Gaming Association is supporting this package of important legislation and I urge the legislature to adopt each bill without delay.”