New York Bill Would Restrict Gambling Support Links for Online Sportsbooks

^{Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, who chairs the Racing and Wagering Committee in New York, is proposing stricter oversight on how online sportsbooks refer responsible gambling support to their providers. (Photo: @SUNYChancellor on X)} 

New York Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner (D-Saratoga Springs) is looking to limit online sportsbooks from directing users to third-party counseling, treatment, or therapy for problem gambling through a new bill introduced in the state assembly. Instead, the bill would require sportsbooks to refer patients through the state’s official Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), the agency that handles addiction services in New York state.

The bill, known as Assembly Bill 9146, was introduced by Assemblywoman Woerner on October 17 and was referred to her committee just last week.

Bill Would Direct All Players to State-Certified Programs and Providers

Currently, online sportsbooks must provide links and contact information for OASAS on their websites along with information on problem gambling resources in advertisements. However, they are currently also allowed to promote or refer users to other providers and services in New York— some of which may charge fees for use.

In other words, Woerner says that the goal isn't about limiting options, but rather ensuring that gamblers looking for help are always directed to accessible and qualified practitioners. 

“Problem gambling is a growing public health concern in New York, particularly with the rapid expansion of mobile sports wagering,” Woerner wrote. “OASAS was established as the designated state agency for addiction services, including services for problem gambling. It oversees one of the nation’s largest addiction services systems with more than 1,700 prevention, treatment, and recovery programs for New York residents.”

Whether operators have the best of intentions or not by providing alternate resources, Woerner also sees a potential conflict of interest when online sportsbook operators choose to influence where gamblers seek help for potential gambling problems.

“This presents a potential conflict between the mobile sports operator’s interest in generating revenue by the number of bets placed and lost versus an individual’s need for help to limit or stop gambling,” Woerner explained. “It also means that an individual seeking help may not be connected with services located in their community or with providers credentialed by OASAS.”

Woerner: Bill Would Help Quantify Gambling Problems in New York

Woerner says that the bill would give officials more insight into the scope of gambling-related harm by routing all problem gambling support through one monitored channel.

“Only the platforms themselves know how many people are requesting their provider,” Woerner told SBC Americas. “We’ve got no real visibility into the prevalence of the problem, and I think it’s important for us to have that visibility.”

Crucially, the bill would not prevent online sportsbooks from offering other responsible gambling tools. Operators can still still allow users to join self-exclusion lists, set deposit and time limits, or ask for “reality checks” alerts.

The proposed legislation comes at a time when there is some uncertainty around one of the largest national problem gambling resources in the United States. The National Council on Problem Gambling was recently forced to relinquish 1-800-GAMBLER – known as the National Problem Gambling Helpline – to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey which originally owned the number. The New Jersey organization previously licensed it to the NCPG after a protracted legal battle.