New York Casinos Raise Concerns Over Gambling Addiction

It’s decided: after many years of frustration, hearings, and heated negotiations, the 

New York State Gaming Commission’s December vote finally locked in the three projects that will completely change the gambling future of The Big Apple.

The city is bracing for the arrival of three new casinos, and, with them, both the good and the bad they are expected to bring. 

Roughly 4.3% of New Yorkers Suffer from Gambling Addiction 

On the positive list, as always, lobbyists mention higher tax revenue, fresh jobs, a rise in the number of tourists, and additional developments in the community.

To the opposite pole, we have the pressing matter of gambling addicts. 

This health concern has spiked since 2017, when New York gave the official green light to sports betting, and residents began asking for help with gambling problems. 

The 37% surge in problem gamblers reported at the time further emphasized a broader 23% national rise. At the moment, estimates speak about roughly 4.3% of New Yorkers who are dealing with gambling problems. 

The percentage, which marks a dramatic spike from 0.7% recorded in 2020, has been partially caused by New York’s leading position in mobile sports wagering, which has gone over the $60 billion mark in bets as of January 2025.

Proximity to Casinos, a Major Trigger

So what would having a nearby casino mean for the unfortunate who already suffer from a gambling addiction or casual players looking to have a good time inside a brick-and-mortar venue for a change?

According to researchers, it’s not good, as their studies have shown that being near gambling venues can directly trigger higher gambling rates and lead to a number of financial and mental health issues.

The fact that problem gambling is frequently associated with other mental health disorders can therefore lead to higher risks of suicide, family breakdown, and various crimes.

Since New York is already known for its growing poverty and homelessness figures, gambling addiction that is not tackled the right way is expected to make some of these matters worse, forcing the state to offer additional responsible gambling resources.

Casino operators are required to intervene with problem gamblers under specific circumstances. However, most of the burden falls on underfinanced state agencies. 

Currently, the state receives $6 million in annual funding from sports betting revenue to fuel its gambling addiction treatments, but the money has proven not to be enough to fight off the constantly growing demand. 

As explained by Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., the best ways to handle gaming addiction include improving education on the risks of gambling, simplifying access to specialty treatment, and introducing more legislative measures aimed at insurance coverage for outpatient gambling disorder treatments.