A new bill has been introduced in New York which would demand all gambling and sports betting advertisements in the state to contain messaging about potential harms as well as a hotline number.
Senate Bill S1550 – sponsored by State Sen. Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by State Sen. Luis R Sepúlveda – was brought forth to the state’s Senate Committee for Racing, Gaming, and Wagering on Jan. 12.
The bill would require all operators to issue warnings and include a problem gambling hotline number on any future advertisements.
S1550’s summary states:
“Requires all advertisements for gambling and sports betting to include warnings about potential harmful and addictive effects of gambling; requires the state gaming commission to cooperate with the commissioner of addiction services and supports to ensure that all advertisements for gaming activity state a problem gambling hotline number.”
The bill is currently in the ‘in committee’ phase and is yet to be voted on. If it passes, the law would come into effect 16 days later.
S1550 is brought forth to New York’s legislators as the issue of problem gambling is highlighted more by state regulators and legislators across the US.
Staying in New York, State Sen. Pete Harckham introduced a bill in December to give the New York State Gaming Commission the power to limit how much promotional credit sportsbooks could offer bettors.
Elsewhere, the Ohio Casino Control Commission has been punishing operators for breaking its advertising rules even before the state launched its sports betting market. The regulator has already levied just under $1m in fines for breaches.
In Virginia, senators have introduced legislation to create a Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Advisory Committee to reduce problem gambling in the state.
