Proposed Law for Monthly Statements Would Present New York Sports Bettors With Uncomfortable Truths

A New York legislator wants to ensure online sports bettors have a clear, up-to-date understanding of how much they’re betting.

A10329, introduced on Feb. 20 by Assembly Member Rebecca Kassay, would require New York online sports betting operators to provide customers with monthly electronic invoice statements detailing their betting activity. It would align New York gambling regulations closer to the National Council on Problem Gambling’s (NCPG) Internet Responsible Gambling Standards. 

In a statement provided to Gambling Insider, Kassay’s office said the Assemblywoman seeks to “strengthen responsible gambling protections” for New Yorkers:

With New Yorkers wagering more than $26 billion on sports last year, this bill is designed to promote transparency and informed decision-making. Research suggests that regular, clear feedback can help individuals better understand their habits and reduce harmful behaviors. This bill has been likened to the inclusion of calorie counts on chain restaurant menus— most consumers would rather not be faced with the data, but its ability to inform consumers provides an important public health benefit…

Assemblywoman Kassay remains committed to advancing policies that address problem gambling, including her work to ensure that safeguards are put in place for the relatively new industry around online mobile sports betting in New York State.”

Kassay’s bill sits with the Assembly’s Racing and Wagering Committee.

RG Tools Take Center Stage 

The Assemblywoman’s office told Gambling Insider that the statements will feature information on responsible gambling tools and problem gambling resources.

“Under the proposal, bettors would receive a summary within 15 days of the end of each month detailing total deposits, wagers placed, amounts won or lost, net change, time logged in, and promotional credits used. The notifications would also include clear information about responsible gaming resources, including options to voluntarily prohibit oneself from gambling opportunities like casino properties.”

Specifically, monthly statements would provide the following data for every customer:

• Total deposits
• Total bets
• Total winnings
• Total losses
• Net gain or net loss
• Total number of bets 
• Total amount of time logged into the account
• An itemized account of all promotional credits, bonuses, or free bets used
• A prominent and clear disclosure of responsible gaming resources, including the state’s voluntary self-exclusion programs
• Access to the player’s lifetime betting history

The bill also empowers the New York State Gaming Commission to “promulgate regulations establishing standardized formatting, clarity requirements, and any additional disclosures necessary to ensure such statement[s] are readily understandable.”

Bill Would Strengthen New York Regs 

Importantly, if passed, the bill will bring New York’s gambling regulations closer into alignment with NCPG’s RG-focused online standards. First published in 2012 and most recently updated in 2023, the standards cover 82 policies across 10 categories.

• Governance and policy
• Staff training
• Supporting players’ informed decision-making 
• Time and budget management
• Time-out and self-exclusion
• Customer support
• Marketing and advertising
• Game play
• Know your customer (KYC)
• Research, education, and treatment

According to a 2024 Vixio report comparing state regulations to NCPG’s standards, New York’s responsible gambling regulations have room to improve.

In the report, Vixio found Connecticut, New Jersey, and Virginia’s regulations are most aligned, matching 49 of 82 of its standards. New York and seven others faired slightly worse, matching just 40 of 82 policies.

NCPG told Gambling Insider it commissioned the analysis to help states identify gaps in current laws and regulations — and to provide a clear framework for improvements to “better protect consumers and promote responsible gambling.”

We found Kassay’s bill would likely address at least three data-related policy standards not explicitly covered by current New York regulations. 

Two policies under the “Supporting Informed Decision Making by Players” category:

• How To Access Personal Data On Responsible Gambling
• Use Of Data To Promote Responsible Gambling Tools

And one under the “Time and Budget Management Category:” Instant Access To Personal Responsible Gambling Data.

NYCPG Appreciates Public Health Efforts

The New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) is the NCPG’s state-level affiliate. Like its national counterpart, the council is neutral on the legality of gambling. Rather, it focuses on providing resources and support for people dealing with the fallout of gambling harm.

Gambling Insider spoke to Michelle Hadden, NYCPG’s executive director, about Kassay’s bill. 

Hadden said she’s not aware of a “strong body of research one way or another” on whether this type of mechanism (automatic activity reports) is proven effective.

However, Hadden said this type of data seems to empower people in other contexts.

“We’re tracking our exercise, we’re tracking our food, we’re getting notifications about everything these days. And we’re certainly seeing notifications pushed from the gaming industry to individuals… The idea that this is the next potential step in making people aware certainly fits into what we’re seeing across the board in all areas of health and wellness.”

Hadden also noted that although this kind of data is largely available to players now, she doubts many are reviewing it. She also appreciates that the bill requires the statements to feature RG tools.

Any efforts to improve health and wellness and ensure people are actively aware are improvements, she added.

“You can always go and check your win and loss statements, but how many people are actually doing that? And so the idea is that it keeps the tools for self-exclusion and support front and center, and that’s what’s really valuable to us… that that’s going to be tagged onto the messaging is really key.”

Addabbo Considering Senate-side Push

New York Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. is a longtime advocate for gambling regulation that prioritizes player safety. This year, Senate Bill S02614 marks his fourth-straight attempt to legalize online casinos in the state. 

On Monday, Addabbo told Gambling Insider that he’s considering introducing A10329’s companion in the Senate. 

I am going to have a conversation with my committee director and legal counsel, because if we see a pathway forward for this kind of legislation, I would probably look to introduce it on the Senate side.”

Addabbo said he learned early on that, beyond supporting those with gambling addiction, good policy aims to intervene before problems get that far. 

“It’s actually a good bill. Who can argue against more information, especially when it comes to trying to help someone with a possible addiction?”

He doesn’t “see where there’s a downside,” he added.

With technology today advancing so rapidly, we use this technology and data to try to see if somebody’s on their way to an addiction, and try to get them at that point. This information is an eye-opener. Maybe for some, as they get that statement, they say, ‘Wow, I didn’t realize I’m spending that much money or that much time gambling.’”

If Kassay’s bill succeeds and becomes law, the legislation would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.