Mobile sports betting is gambling, and sportsbook ads in New York need to tell bettors about “the dangerous and addictive effects of problem gambling,” the governor said as she signed SB1550/AB1118 into law on Oct. 1.
Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul announced:
Protecting New Yorkers from the dangerous and addictive effects of problem gambling and sports betting is vitally important for the prosperity of our great state. I want New Yorkers to be able to safely enjoy the activities they love, while proceeding with caution when necessary. I’m confident that with the signing of this new bill, New Yorkers will have easier access to the safety resources they need to better protect themselves from the grips of addiction.
Previous legal requirements dictated that advertisements for New York’s nine online sportsbooks “clearly and conspicuously” include a problem gambling hotline number.
SB1550/AB1118 adds language “to clarify that mobile sports wagering advertisements are subject to the same conditions that apply to other gaming-related advertisements.”
Therefore, Hochul’s bill signature appears to update New York law to reflect what regulators already require of sportsbook operators. It’s the kind of dotting the Is and crossing the Ts legislation that New Jersey recently added for its sports bettors to complement its existing retail casino problem gambling hotline notification requirements.
Brian O’Dwyer, the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) chairman, said in Hochul’s announcement:
New York State recognizes the importance of responsible gaming practices and has strong safeguards in place to protect and educate bettors. While the Gaming Commission already requires sports wagering operators to include problem gambling messaging on all advertisements, we are encouraged that this common-sense measure has been codified into state law.
For instance, this 30-second-long New York FanDuel Sportsbook ad from last year includes the national hotline number as a subtitle:
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Then, the last frames of the commercial include the call-to-action and betting promotion, along with much larger notifications about New York-specific hotlines:
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Call 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Hope is here. Gamblinghelplinema.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support. (MA)
The latter language shows that FanDuel was airing the ad in Massachusetts, as well. So, that language offers local numbers for Bay Staters.
Back in New York, SB1550 sponsor state Sen. Leroy Comrie, D-St. Albans, said in Hochul’s press release:
New York residents have access to various gambling options, including casinos, racetracks, the lottery and sports betting platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings. It’s essential that users are informed about the risks of addiction and know where to seek help if needed. While revenue for the State is certainly important, promoting responsible gambling and safeguarding our communities is also critical. I thank my colleague Assemblymember Clyde Vanel for working with me and our colleagues to get this passed, and Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law.
State Assemblyman Vanel, D-Queens Village, sponsored companion bill AB1118.
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