New York Considers Prohibiting Billboard Gambling Ads

New York lawmakers are eyeing legislative measures that would snuff out billboard ads promoting potentially addictive and harmful substances or pastimes. Two bills propose a different approach to the same matter, although either would end up prohibiting gambling ads on billboards.

New Bills to Ban Billboard Ads Promoting Gambling, Alcohol & Nicotine Products

New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez has submitted Senate Bills 10400 and 10401, both of which have the same objective – introducing new restrictions for potentially harmful substances and entertainment. These include gambling and sports betting, as well as tobacco, nicotine, vaping products, and liquor.

The new bills were introduced in the Senate on May 15 and are currently sitting with the Committee on Consumer Protection. If enacted, either of the two bills would amend New York’s general business law with a new section focusing on billboard ads tied to the aforementioned products and services.

For reference, SB 10400 would ban individuals, corporations, and marketers from displaying or maintaining billboard ads tied to gambling, sports betting, nicotine products, vapes, and alcohol. The law covers both traditional billboards and digitalized ones.

The measure would also ban the advertising of gambling-related products, such as bookmaking, betting exchanges, pools, and other activities related to the placement of wagers.

Whereas SB 10400 would enact an immediate prohibition, SB 10401 proposes a gradual transition, under which existing advertisements will be allowed to remain in place until the advertising contract expires.

Additionally, once the advertisement is removed, if no new ad is displayed, the local government will be required to put up an announcement about the harms of the product that the billboard used to advertise.

While one bill envisions a sudden change and the other proposes a gradual transition, both would take effect immediately, if approved.

New York Could Create a Task Force to Study Under Bets

In other news, New York lawmakers recently proposed new legislation to examine prop bets, with a particular focus on under bets. Under the proposal, which was filed in late April, New York would create a special task force to study the matter and determine whether further action is necessary.

The proposal was outlined in SB 10153 and comes amid broader concerns related to prop bets, which are tied to specific events in the game.