BILL NUMBER: S3632
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing the
problem gambling advisory council
 
PURPOSE:
This bill creates a problem gambling advisory council.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new
section 25.04.
Section two sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
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.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.6701/A.1056 - Passed Senate
2021-22: A.658-A/S.409-A - Vetoed
2019-20: A.590-A - Passed Assembly; S.3103-A - Advanced to Third Reading
2017-18: A.5081-A - Passed Assembly
2015-16: A.7058-A - Reported to Ways and Means
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.