New York has launched an ambitious ten-year research project to understand gambling behaviour across the state. Trouble is, lawmakers are pushing forward simultaneously with legislation that would fundamentally reshape how problem gamblers access treatment services.

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) is running the initiative. Every two years, they’ll survey a representative sample of residents aged 18 and above. The goal is straightforward: gather hard data on problem gambling prevalence, community awareness of risks, and where treatment gaps exist as the state continues expanding its gambling market.

A Market Growing Rapidly

The timing is hardly coincidental. New Yorkers wagered over $26 billion last year, a 15.8% jump from 2024 and the state’s largest annual increase since online sports betting launched in 2022. With proposed legislation to legalise online casinos potentially generating $2.5 billion in year-one revenue, the state is clearly serious about its position as America’s betting capital.

Yet even as the industry expands, a contentious debate is unfolding over who should control the treatment narrative. Assembly Bill 9146, which advanced through the Racing and Wagering Committee, would grant OASAS a monopoly on problem gambling treatment referrals. Pass it, and sportsbooks and casinos would be barred from recommending any outside counselling services or practitioners not credentialed by OASAS or based in New York.

The Conflict of Interest Question

Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, the bill’s sponsor, frames the restriction as a safeguard. “There’s a potential conflict between a mobile operator’s interest in generating revenue through betting volume and an individual’s need to limit or stop gambling,” she argues. Currently, platforms like DraftKings can direct struggling players to services such as Kindbridge Behavioral Health alongside mandatory OASAS links.

It’s a legitimate tension. But here’s the catch: the proposal raises practical questions. Will concentrating all referrals through a single state agency actually improve access, or could it create bottlenecks? OASAS already receives substantial funding from the industry itself. New York taxes gambling operators at 51% of revenue, the highest rate in the country, with a portion flowing back to OASAS for outreach and treatment.

Following the Data

Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to the research survey signals good intent. Understanding real prevalence rates and community awareness genuinely matters for designing effective interventions. If the data shows gaps in OASAS capacity or availability, that’s crucial intelligence for future planning.

What’s less clear is whether restricting treatment options before collecting that data represents sound policy. The strongest approach would likely involve letting the survey inform the debate, rather than deciding on access restrictions now and gathering supporting evidence later.

The next two years should prove revealing. As New York continues its aggressive expansion into online casinos and sports betting, its handling of problem gambling support will set a template other states watch closely.