New York Assemblyman Robert Carroll has introduced a measure to amend the state’s sports betting and horse racing law to limit wagering amounts and ad campaigns.
Carroll has filed Assembly Bill A7962 to address social harms caused by online sports betting and the prevalence of its advertising. The measure proposes amendments to New York’s racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, which was enacted in 2021.
Measure calls for betting limits in New York
Carroll’s latest measure aims to limit betting amounts by any patron who is eligible for online sports betting in the Empire State. Under A7962, licensed operators can only accept up to $5,000 from any one patron during a 24-hour period. The measure also calls for a complete ban on credit cards to fund player accounts. New York’s active gaming law permits credit card deposits but limits bettors to a spending amount of $2,500 per year.
Operators in New York are also banned from offering authorized bettors a line of credit.
A7962 also aims to limit the amount of deposits a sports bettor can make in 24 hours. It prohibits bettors from “placing more than five deposits” in their accounts daily.
Carroll wants changes to gambling ad practices
The lawmaker’s measure also takes into consideration gambling ad practices.
A7962 proposes banning ads that include “odds boosts or similar offers.” The ban extends to any marketing that uses the phrases “bonus,” “no sweat,” or “bonus bet.”
The measure also proposes stipulations for operators regarding sports betting ads.
Carroll’s bill aims to prevent ads from being offered between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time. His measure also prohibits gambling ads from being aired during any live sports event.
A7962 aims to prevent the exposure of wagering to the public by prohibiting operators from providing information on how to place a sports wager or how they work in marketing.
Carroll’s measure allows operators to access the player account history of all bettors and has been referred to the Committee on Racing and Wagering for consideration.
Similar legislation in Massachusetts
Lawmakers in Massachusetts are making similar efforts to change the state’s gaming laws.
Earlier this year, Sen. John F. Keenan introduced Senate Bill 302 as a measure that aims to address economic and health concerns caused by sports betting. The bill, which has been referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, proposes a ban on prop wagering while also prohibiting all in-play betting.
Keenan’s bill also bans the airing of gambling ads during televised sports events with any ad using the terms “bonus,” “same-game parlay,” “odds boost,” “risk-free,” or “no sweat” also prohibited. The proposed measure limits daily betting amounts with authorized bettors banned “from placing wagers with an operator of more than $1,000 per day or $10,000 per month without having conducted an affordability assessment of said person.”
SB 302 also mandates operators to supply the state’s gaming commission with customer tracking data for each player’s online gambling at least once per year. In addition to Keenan, the bill is also sponsored by Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa and Sen. Patricia Jehlen.
