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STATE AGENCIES TEAM UP TO TARGET UNDERAGE GAMBLING
Governor Eliot Spitzer, New York Lottery Director Robert J. McLaughlin and State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced an alliance to help curb the incidence of underage gambling in New York State. The initiative, funded through a $500,000 grant to OASAS from the Lottery, will be utilized to generate public awareness about the importance of responsible gaming and to support underage gambling prevention efforts.
“I am pleased to announce this initiative, which is an important part of my Children’s Agenda,” said Governor Spitzer. “It is imperative that we teach young people about the serious risks associated with gambling and this effort will go along way toward raising awareness and discouraging underage gambling.”
New York State Lottery Director McLaughlin applauded the new partnership. “The Lottery is pleased to take this important next step in our ongoing efforts to support responsible gaming and to help curb the rising incidence of underage gambling being reported nationwide. This funding demonstrates our commitment to providing education and treatment to problem gamblers.”
In addition to the funding, the Lottery has agreed to distribute educational and outreach materials designed by OASAS at Lottery-staffed public events.
OASAS Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said, “With the constant barrage of televised gambling, online poker matches and Hollywood glamorization of gambling, New York’s youth are developing a skewed perception of what is acceptable. There is no such thing as responsible gambling for those under 18. It is illegal and can have severe life-long consequences.”
OASAS recently announced the implementation of the state’s first Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP) program. This credentialing program will recognize the qualified professionals who work within the OASAS delivery system, as well as in mental health and specialized gambling remediation settings, to develop essential knowledge and skills, and to assure quality care.
OASAS will develop new public service announcements targeting underage and college-age gambling; develop and support regional training efforts; hold conferences on compulsive gambling issues; and provide regional clinical supervision to support the OASAS gambling credential program.
The New York Lottery is proud of its longstanding association with the not-for-profit New York Council on Problem Gambling, an independent corporation dedicated to increasing public awareness about problem and compulsive gambling, and advocating for support services and treatment for persons adversely affected by gambling. The New York Council on Problem Gambling’s 24-hour toll-free problem gambling hotline has been a standard feature on all Lottery tickets and play cards since 1999.
Council Executive Director Jim Maney offered his support for Lottery’s plan to partner with OASAS. “Our ability to effectively increase awareness and more importantly prevent problem gambling, means we must find new statewide initiatives to provide New Yorkers with the information, tools, support and services they need. The New York Council on Problem Gambling believes that collaboration is the key factor in addressing the issue of problem gambling. To this end, we look forward to working with our partners at OASAS and the Lottery to further increase the awareness of problem gambling and the opportunity to reach even more New Yorkers.”
In keeping with standard industry protocol, the Lottery’s current Play Responsibly efforts include providing access to free counseling through the publication of a toll-free 24-hour problem gambling helpline number printed on all tickets and play cards. In addition, the Lottery actively reminds all New Yorkers of the need to Play Responsibly via stickers, posters and decals posted at more than 16,000 retail locations statewide, including video lottery locations. The message is also featured on the Lottery’s web site as well as in all Lottery promotional ads and brochures, and on instant ticket vending machines. To discourage underage play, the Lottery also issues “Must be 18 years or older to Play Lottery Games” decals to all retailers. In addition, the Lottery requires all instant ticket vending machines to be located where they can be monitored by management or a designee during business hours. The Lottery also actively enforces a self-exclusion policy at all video gaming facilities.
In 2005 OASAS assumed responsibility for overseeing all outreach, prevention, treatment, training and certification related to pathological gambling services in New York State. OASAS has launched its first marketing campaign designed to raise awareness about compulsive gambling. Titled "Not Just a Game of Chance," this new campaign is aimed at raising compulsive gambling awareness to three target audiences – college students, adolescents and seniors.
Included in campaign materials are warning signs of compulsive gambling, risk factors, statistics and consequences. More information on problem gambling is available at www.oasas.state.ny.us/gambling, www.nyproblemgambling.org or www.ncpgambling.org.