New York Launches 10-Year Gambling Addiction Study as Betting Expands Statewide
Governor Hochul announces a decade-long survey to assess gambling behaviors and guide addiction services as New York expands casinos and mobile sports betting.
New York State is placing a long-term bet on understanding gambling addiction. Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday the launch of a decade-long survey effort designed to assess gambling behaviors across the state and identify where additional problem gambling services are needed most.
The study comes at a pivotal moment. New York has dramatically expanded gambling access over the past eight years—adding three Native American casinos, four commercial casinos, and both in-person and mobile sports betting between 2015 and 2023. Just last December, the state authorized three additional casino locations at Resorts World NYC in Queens, Bally's at Ferry Point in the Bronx, and Hard Rock at Citi Field. The timing suggests state officials recognize that expanded access to gambling requires expanded access to treatment.
"As gambling opportunities continue to expand in New York State, we need to be proactive and determine where additional services may be needed to help those affected by gambling addiction," said Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, Commissioner of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), which is administering the survey.
What the Survey Will Measure
The New York State Well-Being & Life Survey will target adults 18 and older across all regions of the state. Rather than blanket every resident, researchers will use random sampling to select participants who will receive letters or phone calls inviting them to participate.
The survey will run every two years throughout the decade-long initiative, administered by ICF Macro on behalf of OASAS. Participants can complete questionnaires by phone or online, and the effort also includes interviews and focus groups to gather qualitative data.
What makes this study significant is its scope. The data collected will help OASAS understand not just the prevalence of problem gambling and gambling disorder, but also trends in gambling harms, community awareness of risks, and viewpoints on gambling behaviors across different populations. This information will directly inform planning for prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services.
All responses are kept anonymous unless participants voluntarily choose to include identifying information. Participation is entirely voluntary—residents can skip questions or end the survey at any time.
The National Context: A "Public Health Response"
New York's initiative arrives as gambling addiction experts nationwide sound alarms about what they're calling a crisis. Harry Levant, director of gambling policy at the Public Health Advocacy Institute, told The Guardian last week that gambling addiction in the U.S. is spiraling "out of control" and "demands a public health response."
"You regulate the distribution, the speed, the type, the access to the product, because the product is what's dangerous," Levant said, arguing that gambling should be treated like alcohol or tobacco. "The problem is the product, not the people."
The expansion has been rapid. Since the Supreme Court lifted the federal sports betting ban in 2018, 39 states and Washington D.C. have legalized sports wagering. Online gambling, prediction markets, and mobile betting platforms have proliferated, making gambling accessible from any smartphone.
A recent WalletHub study ranked New York among the 15 most gambling-addicted states in the nation. While the Empire State scored relatively well on problem gambling treatment availability (ranking 26th), its gambling friendliness rank placed it at 15th—reflecting the density of casinos, lottery options, and betting opportunities available to residents.
Services Already Available
OASAS currently oversees a range of gambling-related services in New York, and the survey results will help determine where gaps remain.
The state offers both outpatient and inpatient treatment for gambling disorder, support at Recovery Community Outreach Centers, and access to peers with lived experience with gambling addiction. Regional Problem Gambling Resource Centers (PGRCs), funded by OASAS and operated by the New York Council on Problem Gambling, provide information, training, and connections to help across different regions.
For those facing financial challenges due to gambling behaviors, OASAS partners with GamFin to offer free financial counseling. The state also runs public awareness campaigns, including the ongoing "Take a Pause" initiative that encourages people to evaluate their gambling habits and provides resources for maintaining healthy behaviors.
OASAS coordinates with the NYS Gaming Commission and the NY Council on Problem Gambling through the Responsible Play Partnership, working on regulatory measures to prevent underage gambling and promote responsible gaming.
Youth Protection Measures
In her 2026 State of the State address, Governor Hochul directed the Gaming Commission to take action to prevent young people from downloading betting apps, creating accounts, or using others' legitimately established accounts. She also asked the Commission to explore new technology that could help identify individuals who may need gambling addiction assistance.
Last month, Hochul previewed additional measures that would prevent youth from gambling online and bar sports wagering platforms from using certain promotional tactics. The 10-year survey will likely provide data to support these regulatory efforts by establishing baseline measures of youth gambling behaviors and tracking changes over time.
What This Means for New Yorkers
For residents selected to participate in the survey, involvement means contributing to a dataset that will shape addiction services for years to come. Those contacted will receive information about the survey by mail or phone and can complete it online or by calling 888-275-0089 to arrange a phone interview.
For anyone currently struggling with gambling addiction, help is available now through the state's toll-free HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY to 467369. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Treatment options including crisis care, detox, inpatient, residential, and outpatient services can be found on the OASAS website.
The 10-year commitment signals that New York views gambling addiction as a long-term public health challenge requiring sustained attention. As the state continues to expand gambling opportunities—particularly in New York City with the new casino approvals—having robust data on addiction patterns will be essential for directing resources effectively and mitigating harm.
Whether the study leads to expanded treatment capacity, new prevention programs, or regulatory changes remains to be seen. But the decision to invest in a decade of data collection suggests policymakers recognize that understanding the problem is the first step toward addressing it.
Written by
MTNYC Editorial TeamThe MTNYC Editorial Team is a group of healthcare writers, researchers, and addiction specialists dedicated to providing accurate, compassionate, and evidence-based information about addiction treatment and recovery resources in New York State.
