New York State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. will host a Zoom meeting to educate his constituents about problem gambling. The 7 to 8 p.m. meeting on Sept. 13 is presented by the New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) and co-sponsored by Resorts World New York City. The gambling facility is located within the Ozone Park Democrat’s Senate district.
Addabbo’s office emailed the news to Bonus today.
In the announcement, the outspoken legal gambling expansion advocate said:
For some, gaming is a casual pastime, but for others it becomes all-consuming, and they need help. As the Chairman of the NYS Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering, I believe I have a responsibility to bring this event to the community for the public good. If we can help just one person from taking this preventable trip down the road to self-destruction, then we have accomplished something really important.
In numerous past conversations with Bonus, Addabbo has said he’s interested in providing New Yorkers with gambling addiction prevention tools.
One of those problem gambling tools, he believes, is legal gambling. Addabbo told Bonus repeatedly that legal gambling – retail and online – can prevent problem gambling far better than illegal forms New Yorkers may be using. Addabbo has repeatedly told Bonus that legal operators can identify gamblers and link them to the resources they need to get help.
However, the Senate is in recess until January. So Addabbo has been active around his district, his newsletters and announcements show.
Addabbo Believes in Legal Gambling Expansion
Preventing gambling addiction is one of the reasons Addabbo’s said to Bonus that he plans to advocate again for online casino gambling legalization in 2024. He also favors the process underway to add three new full downstate casino licenses.
While New York Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul also advocates legal gambling expansion and problem gambling education, she vetoed a bill in 2022 that would’ve set up and funded a Problem Gambling Advisory Council (PGAC). This year’s PGAC bill didn’t make it to Hochul’s desk.
New York’s online sportsbooks do provide $6 million to problem gambling efforts. If Addabbo’s 2023 online casino bill had become law, it would’ve shifted $12 million a year to that cause.
About That Sept. 13 Problem Gambling Education Zoom
In today’s announcement, Addabbo’s office said the 7 to 8 p.m. Zoom meeting on Sept. 13 can be discreet for attendees.
Addabbo’s press release said:
Participants can remain anonymous by turning off their video and microphone if they choose. There will be an opportunity to ask questions verbally or type them into the chat box.
Senator Addabbo urges that if an individual or someone they love has a gambling problem, to get help. He is hoping the virtual session will be useful in learning about gambling addiction options from service providers.
(Author’s note: Many Zoom users see their names pop up in place of their pictures if they’ve added those names to their accounts. So being anonymous may need to involve more attendee effort than muting audio and not turning on cameras.)
A graphic accompanied the announcement.
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