New York is one of the largest gambling markets in the United States, with a legal gambling industry that generated $9.66 billion in gross revenue in 2023. Gambling in the state takes many forms — from the nation’s largest lottery and dozens of casino facilities to the mobile sports betting apps that have become ubiquitous since legalization in January 2022. While gambling generates substantial tax revenue for public education and other programs, it also carries serious public health consequences: addiction, financial ruin, domestic violence, and suicide are among the documented harms.
This article compiles the most comprehensive available statistical picture of gambling and problem gambling in New York State. It draws on the 2020 NYS Problem Gambling Prevalence Survey — the most recent statewide study — as well as OASAS service utilization data, industry revenue reports, peer-reviewed research, and community-based surveys. The data are organized to move from the broad landscape of gambling in New York to the specific populations most affected, the harms documented, and the policy responses available.
New York’s Gambling Landscape
New York’s gambling industry is vast and diverse, spanning lottery, casinos, horse racing, and mobile sports betting. Understanding the full scope of this ecosystem is essential context for evaluating the scale of problem gambling and the adequacy of existing resources to address it.
Gross Gaming Revenue by Type (2023)
The table below shows how New York’s $9.66 billion in gross gambling revenue breaks down across all legal gambling types in 2023, revealing that the state lottery — not mobile sports betting — is by far the dominant source.
| Gambling Type | Gross Revenue (2023) | % of Total | Notes |
| Traditional Lottery | $3.38 billion | 35.0% | Largest single source |
| Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) | $2.34 billion | 24.3% | Includes racinos |
| Subtotal: All Lottery | $5.72 billion | 59.2% | Dominant revenue source |
| Mobile Sports Gambling | $1.69 billion | 17.4% | #1 state nationally |
| Tribal Casinos | $1.25 billion | 13.0% | |
| Commercial Casinos | $0.61 billion | 6.3% | 4 facilities |
| Pari-Mutuel Racing | $0.32 billion | 3.2% | |
| Fantasy Sports | $0.04 billion | 0.4% | |
| Nonprofit Gaming | $0.04 billion | 0.4% | |
| TOTAL | $9.66 billion | 100% |
The state lottery (traditional and VLT combined) accounts for 59.2% of all gross gambling revenue — more than three times the contribution of mobile sports betting. Despite generating the most public and legislative attention, mobile sports gambling represents just 17.4% of the state’s total gambling revenue. Notably, no lottery revenue funds problem gambling treatment, even though the lottery is the state’s largest gambling category.
Mobile Sports Betting: Scale and Growth (2022–2024)
Since legalization in January 2022, mobile sports betting has grown explosively. New York now leads all states in this category, and the state taxes operator profits at 51% — the highest rate in the nation.
| Calendar Year | Total Mobile Bets Placed | Gross Gaming Revenue | Education Revenue |
| 2022 | ~$14.9 billion | ~$861 million | ~$693 million |
| 2023 | ~$18.1 billion | $1.699 billion | ~$860 million |
| 2024 | ~$22.8 billion | >$1.1 billion | ~$1.04 billion |
| Jan 2022–Dec 2024 TOTAL | $57.9 billion | ~$2.9 billion | $2.596 billion |
In three years, New Yorkers wagered nearly $58 billion via mobile sports betting platforms, with monthly bets hitting a record of more than $2.3 billion in October 2024. Despite enormous aggregate revenue, per-capita wagering in New York ($976 in 2023) remains below New Jersey’s ($1,288), suggesting significant room for further growth — and further risk.
Gambling Tax Revenue and Problem Gambling Funding
The table below tracks the growth of commercial gaming and mobile sports betting tax revenue alongside OASAS funding for problem gambling services. Gambling taxes fund primarily public education, with a much smaller share directed to addiction treatment.
| State Fiscal Year | Commercial Gaming Tax ($000s) | Mobile Sports Wagering Tax ($000s) | OASAS Problem Gambling Funds ($000s) |
| 2018–19 | ~$130,000 | $0 | $3,325 |
| 2019–20 | ~$160,000 | $0 | $3,388 |
| 2020–21 | ~$170,000 | $0 | $3,001 |
| 2021–22 | ~$160,000 | $0 | $2,517 |
| 2022–23 | ~$150,000 | $614,580 | $6,200 |
| 2023–24 | ~$140,000 | $1,061,047 | $5,286 |
| 2024–25 | ~$130,000 | $1,039,800 | $7,132 |
| 2025–26 (est.) | ~$140,000 | $1,457,339 | $9,300 |
Mobile sports betting tax revenue grew from zero in FY2021–22 to a projected $1.46 billion in FY2025–26. Over the same period, OASAS problem gambling funding grew from $2.5 million to an estimated $9.3 million — a meaningful increase, but still a fraction of one percent of total gambling tax revenue. The $9.3 million must serve an estimated 111,000 to 634,000 New Yorkers who may need treatment.
Problem Gambling Prevalence in New York State
The 2020 NYS Problem Gambling Prevalence Survey, conducted by OASAS and RTI International between July 24 and December 21, 2020, is the most recent comprehensive baseline on gambling and problem gambling among the state’s adult population (ages 18+). A total of 3,823 completed responses were collected from a sample of 14,209 New Yorkers.
Gambling Participation and Problem Gambling Rates (2020)
Survey respondents were classified into five categories based on the Problem and Pathological Gambling Measure (PPGM), a validated 14-item instrument. The figures below reflect both overall adult prevalence and rates within the gambling population specifically.
| Gambler Category | % of All NY Adults | % Among Gamblers | Definition |
| Non-Gamblers | 68.0% | — | Did not gamble in past 12 months |
| Recreational Gamblers | 26.9% | 85.4% | Gambled in past year; no criteria for problem gambling met |
| At-Risk Gamblers | 4.4% | ~10.5% | Met up to 2 criteria for Gambling Disorder; no harmful effects yet |
| Problem Gamblers | 0.3% | ~0.9% | Gambling caused harmful effects to self or others |
| Pathological Gamblers | 0.4% | ~1.3% | Preoccupation, loss of control, continuation despite consequences |
| All Problem/Pathological | 0.7% | ~2.2% | Combined problem + pathological |
While 68% of New Yorkers did not gamble at all in the past year, of those who did gamble, approximately 1 in 7 met at least one criterion for problem gambling. With 15.86 million adults in New York, even the 0.7% combined rate of problem and pathological gambling represents more than 111,000 individuals — and the 4.4% at-risk rate represents over 690,000 adults who may be on a trajectory toward disorder.
Historical Trends in Pathological Gambling Rates
Three statewide prevalence surveys spanning 1996 to 2020 allow a long-term view of problem gambling in New York during a period of dramatic expansion in legal gambling options.
1996
- Adults gambling past year: N/A
- Pathological gambling rate: 1.4% — highest in the U.S. at the time; fewest gambling options
2006
- Adults gambling past year: 67%
- Pathological gambling rate: 0.9% — post-OTB era; pre-commercial casinos
2020
- Adults gambling past year: 32%
- Pathological gambling rate: 0.4% — post-casino expansion; pre-mobile sports betting
Counterintuitively, pathological gambling rates declined from 1.4% in 1996 to 0.4% in 2020, even as gambling options expanded substantially. Some researchers attribute this to an ‘adaptation effect’ in which populations become more resistant to new gambling risks over time. However, mobile sports betting — legalized in 2022 — may be reversing this trend. One recent estimate placed the problem gambling rate at 4.3% of New Yorkers, a figure that requires urgent independent verification.
Demographics and Risk Factors
Problem gambling does not affect all New Yorkers equally. The 2020 OASAS survey identified clear, consistent disparities across gender, age, race/ethnicity, income, education, and geography. Understanding these patterns is essential for targeting prevention and treatment resources where the need is greatest.
Problem Gambling Rates by Demographic Group
Among those who gambled in the past 12 months, the tables below show how problem gambling rates differ by gender, age, race/ethnicity, income, and education. Percentages reflect shares within each gambling subgroup.
By Gender
| Gender | % Recreational Gamblers | % Problem Gamblers | Note |
| Male | 83.4% | 16.6% | Higher risk than females |
| Female | 87.5% | 12.5% |
By Age
| Age Group | % Recreational Gamblers | % Problem Gamblers | Note |
| 18–24 years old | 75.2% | 24.8% | Highest rate of any age group |
| 25–29 years old | 92.5% | 7.5% | Lowest rate of any age group |
| 30–44 years old | 79.3% | 20.7% | 2nd highest rate |
| 45–64 years old | ~90% | ~10% | |
| 65+ years old | ~88% | ~12% |
By Race / Ethnicity
| Race / Ethnicity | % Recreational Gamblers | % Problem Gamblers | Note |
| Non-Hispanic Black | ~75% | 25.1% | Highest rate of any racial/ethnic group |
| Hispanic | ~82% | ~18% | |
| Non-Hispanic White | ~85%+ | Lower than Black gamblers |
By Income
| Income Level | % Recreational Gamblers | % Problem Gamblers | Note |
| Income < $30,000 | 75.9% | 24.1% | Highest income-group risk |
| Income $30,000–$75,000 | ~86% | ~14% | |
| Income $75,000+ | 88%+ | 11.2% | Lowest income-group risk |
By Education
| Education Level | % Recreational Gamblers | % Problem Gamblers | Note |
| High school diploma or less | 78.2% | 21.8% | Highest education-group risk |
| Some college / Associate’s | ~83% | ~17% | |
| Bachelor’s degree | ~90% | ~10% | |
| Graduate degree | 94.6% | 5.4% | Lowest education-group risk |
A consistent inverse relationship exists between socioeconomic status and problem gambling risk. The 24.8% problem gambling rate among 18–24-year-old gamblers is nearly five times the 5.4% rate among graduate-degree holders. Non-Hispanic Black gamblers face the highest racial/ethnic risk at 25.1%, and those with incomes below $30,000 face more than double the problem gambling rate of those earning $75,000 or more.
Highest-Risk Populations
OASAS identified the following populations as having the greatest risk for developing or experiencing problem gambling, based on the 2020 statewide prevalence survey and supplementary community-based surveys conducted through Problem Gambling Resource Centers.
Primary High-Risk Groups (2020 OASAS Prevalence Survey)
- 18–24 year-olds
- Individuals with a substance use disorder
- Non-Hispanic Black men
- Individuals with income below $30,000
- Individuals with a high school diploma or less
Additional High-Risk Groups (Community-Based Resource Center Surveys)
- Veterans
- Asian American and Pacific Islanders
- Aging adults
- BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)
Problem gambling risk is concentrated among the most economically and socially vulnerable New Yorkers — the same populations who can least absorb gambling-related financial losses and who face the greatest barriers to treatment access.
Problem Gambling Rates by Region
The 2020 prevalence survey measured problem gambling rates across seven sub-state geographic regions, revealing significant disparities between urban and rural New York.
| Region | % Problem Gamblers (among gamblers) | Relative Standing |
| New York City | 18.6% | Highest in state |
| Mid-Hudson | 18.2% | 2nd highest |
| Western NY | Data available | Mid-range |
| Central NY | Data available | Mid-range |
| Long Island | Data available | Mid-range |
| Northeast NY | 11.5% | 2nd lowest |
| Finger Lakes | 11.1% | Lowest in state |
Problem gambling rates are nearly 70% higher in New York City and the Mid-Hudson Valley than in the Finger Lakes and Northeast regions. This disparity likely reflects greater density of gambling venues and mobile platform access, alongside higher concentrations of socioeconomically at-risk populations in urban areas.
Problem Gambling Among BIPOC Communities
National survey data show that all three major BIPOC communities face elevated rates of frequent and problem gambling, while also confronting cultural and structural barriers to care.
| Community | Gambled Past Year | Frequent Gamblers | Sports Bettors | Problem Gamblers |
| Asian Americans | 66% | 14% | 30% | 5.3% |
| Black Americans | 67% | 25% | 32% | 5.5% |
| Native Americans | 83% | 32% | N/A | 5.4% |
Native Americans show the highest gambling participation rate (83%), while Black Americans have the highest rate of frequent gambling (25%). All three groups experience problem gambling at rates exceeding 5%, comparable to or higher than the general population — yet each faces distinct cultural barriers to seeking treatment.
Adolescent Gambling
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to problem gambling due to heightened reward sensitivity, immature impulse control, and peer influence. Problem gambling rates among youth are consistently higher than among adults, and early onset is a strong predictor of lifelong gambling disorder.
Participation Rates
Data from the NYS OASAS Youth Development Survey and the New York Council on Problem Gambling document high rates of gambling participation among New York youth, including among children younger than 12.
- 86% of adolescents have gambled at least once in their lifetime
- 39–75% of NYS youth ages 12–17 gambled in the past year (varies by source)
- 15% gambled on a weekly basis
- 30% started gambling at age 10 or younger
- 30% said gambling was easy to access
Types of Gambling Among Youth
The following table shows what types of gambling New York youth most commonly engage in, ranging from low-stakes social games to regulated activities to which they have no legal access.
| Gambling Type | % of Youth Who Gamble |
| Bingo or raffles | 52% |
| Games of skill | 45% |
| Video games (for money) | 35% |
| Lottery / scratch-offs | 26% |
| Fantasy sports / sports betting | 21% |
| Horse racing wagers | 9% |
| Casino gambling | 5% |
| Purchased lottery tickets (underage — restricted) | ~one-third |
Scale of the Problem
The table below quantifies the scope of adolescent problem gambling in New York, including the estimated number of youth affected and key behavioral risk factors.
| Metric | Statistic |
| Classified as compulsive gamblers | 2.4% |
| At risk for developing problem gambling | 14% |
| Adolescent spending vs. adult spending on gambling | 30% more than adults |
| Adolescents’ share of NY population | 7% |
| Adolescents’ share of NY severe gambling problems | 11% |
| Estimated adolescents with severe gambling problems | 15,000–41,000 |
| Estimated adolescents with gambling difficulties | 135,000–193,000 |
| Started gambling with a family member | 25% |
| Preferred gambling time: weekends (grades 7–12) | 65% |
Despite representing only 7% of New York’s total population, adolescents account for 11% of all New Yorkers with severe gambling-related problems. Up to 193,000 New York adolescents may experience gambling difficulties. The fact that only 85% of parents disapprove of their child gambling — the lowest disapproval rate of any substance-related behavior — suggests that gambling’s addictive risks are still not fully recognized by families.
College and Young Adult Gambling
College students and young adults (ages 18–30) form a particularly high-risk group, where gambling participation, heavy use, and problem gambling intersect with substance use and financial vulnerability.
- 75% of college students gambled in the past year (vs. 70% of non-college young adults)
- Non-college young adults have higher rates of heavy gambling than college students: 25% vs. 18% gambled 52+ times per year
- Problem gambling is highest in the 22–40 age group overall
- After age 21, problem gambling is more prevalent than alcohol dependence
- Male gamblers are 5 times more likely than female gamblers to be a heavy or problem gambler, regardless of college status
- 27% of NCAA Division I autonomy schools dealt with a sports wagering problem among athletes or staff within the past year
- 25% of NCAA schools became aware of student-athletes being harassed by individuals with gambling interests
- In New York, there were at least 100 documented cases of underage sports betting in 2022 and 2023 — a figure considered likely to be undercounted
Young adult men — especially those not attending college — face the highest gambling risk of any adult age group. Mobile sports betting, accessible on the same devices used for socializing and schoolwork, has created new pathways for rapid escalation to problem gambling.
Treatment Utilization and Service Access
OASAS oversees a continuum of problem gambling services in New York, including a 24/7 multilingual helpline, a Voluntary Self-Exclusion program, and inpatient and outpatient treatment — all available regardless of ability to pay. Demand for these services has surged since the legalization of mobile sports betting in January 2022.
HOPEline Call Volume Trends (2020–2024)
The OASAS HOPEline is staffed by bachelor’s- and master’s-level clinicians with crisis and gambling expertise. The table below tracks annual call volume and the key shift in the primary reason for calls following sports betting legalization.
| Year | HOPEline Calls | Key Note |
| 2020 | 2,345 | Baseline year |
| 2021 | 2,698 | +15.1% from 2020 |
| 2022 (mobile sports betting legalized) | 3,397 | +25.9% year-over-year; peak year; top reason shifts to online betting |
| 2023 | 3,064+ | +7% further increase; online gambling remains top concern |
| 2024 | 3,064 | +30.7% vs. 2020 baseline |
HOPEline calls increased 30.7% from 2020 to 2024. The largest single-year jump — 25.9% — came in 2022, immediately after mobile sports betting was legalized. Online and mobile gambling has since displaced casino gambling as the top reason for calls, and now accounts for the majority of gambling-related helpline contacts.
Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment Trends
Between 2020 and 2023, the number of New Yorkers in formal gambling treatment grew substantially, with the steepest increase immediately following sports betting legalization.
- New Yorkers in inpatient/outpatient treatment (2020): 3,535
- New Yorkers in inpatient/outpatient treatment (2021): 3,983
- New Yorkers in inpatient/outpatient treatment (2022): 4,876 — a 22.4% increase over 2021
- New Yorkers in inpatient/outpatient treatment (2023): 5,173 — a 46.3% increase over 2020
- Outpatient service utilization increased 6% from 2022 to 2023
- Inpatient service utilization increased 17% from 2022 to 2023
- Overall treatment utilization increased 11.5% from 2022 to 2023
The largest single-year treatment increase occurred directly following mobile sports betting legalization — a pattern that mirrors the HOPEline call data and self-exclusion trends, consistently pointing to 2022 as an inflection point for gambling harm in New York.
Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program Trends
New York’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion program allows individuals to ban themselves from gambling facilities or mobile operators for 1, 3, or 5 years, or for life. Enrollment has grown significantly, with applications for 1-year bans growing the most — suggesting increasing numbers of newly affected individuals.
- VSE applications (2017): 980
- VSE applications (2021): 957
- VSE applications (2022): 1,333 — a 36.0% increase over 2021, the largest single-year jump
- VSE applications (2023): 1,646 — a 68.0% increase over 2017, the peak year on record
The 68% increase in self-exclusion applications from 2017 to 2023 closely mirrors the pattern of treatment utilization and helpline calls. The growing share of 1-year (rather than lifetime) bans may indicate that many enrollees are newly affected and using self-exclusion as a short-term harm reduction strategy rather than a permanent commitment.
Treatment Effectiveness and Available Approaches
The treatment gap is significant. With an estimated 111,000 to 634,000 New Yorkers potentially needing gambling treatment, and $9.3 million in annual OASAS funding, the state is far short of meeting the need — particularly in culturally competent services for high-risk populations.
Public Health Harms of Gambling
Problem gambling generates a wide range of public health harms, affecting not only the individual gambler but also their family members, partners, coworkers, and surrounding community. Research documents significant gambling-related consequences across mental health, financial stability, domestic violence, substance use, and crime.
Mental Health and Suicide
The mental health consequences of problem gambling are severe and well-documented. The following findings are drawn from New York State data and peer-reviewed national research cited in the source documents.
- Suicide rates among problem gamblers are 15 times higher than in the general population
- Casino presence has been associated with a statistically significant 1–2% increase in the number of suicides within a county
- 33.9% of problem gamblers reported mental health issues in the past year (vs. 28.7% of non-gamblers)
- In Massachusetts, the proportion of casino revenue derived from problem gamblers grew from 74% at casino opening to 90% by 2022
- Problem gambling co-morbidity with alcohol use disorder: 73.2%
- Problem gambling co-morbidity with nicotine dependence: 60.4%
- Problem gambling co-morbidity with drug use disorder: 38.1%
- College gamblers are 6 times more likely to be dependent on alcohol or drugs, and 5 times more likely to abuse them
- After age 21, problem gambling is more prevalent than alcohol dependence
Problem gambling carries an extreme mental health burden: suicide rates are 15 times higher among problem gamblers than the general population. The strong correlation with alcohol, drug, and nicotine dependence means problem gambling rarely occurs in isolation — effective treatment must address co-occurring disorders simultaneously.
Substance Use and Sports Betting
Research has identified a particularly strong link between sports betting frequency and alcohol misuse. The following figures show binge drinking rates by frequency of sports wagering, compared to non-sports gamblers.
| Betting Frequency | Binge Drinking Rate | vs. Non-Sports Gamblers |
| Daily | 75% | 4x higher |
| Weekly | 66% | 3x higher |
| Monthly | 59% | 2.5x higher |
The co-occurrence of heavy sports betting and binge drinking is not incidental — alcohol use while gambling is common, and both behaviors reinforce each other. This compounded risk is particularly pronounced among young adult men, who face the highest rates of both heavy sports betting and alcohol misuse.
Financial Harms
The financial consequences of gambling extend from individual gamblers to their families and host communities. Sports betting legalization in particular has been associated with measurable changes in household financial health across states.
- Bankruptcies increased by 28% following sports betting legalization
- Household investment dropped by 14% following sports betting legalization
- Sports betting legalization is associated with significant increases in credit card balances, lottery play, and overdraft frequency
- Available credit and net savings decreased significantly following sports betting legalization
- Casinos reduce nearby home loan values by an average of 6–7% over the three years after opening
- At least 1 in 10 homeless individuals have been affected by problem gambling on some level
- New York State’s poverty rate is nearly double the national average (2023)
- 26% of New York City children lived in poverty as of 2025
- Statewide homelessness doubled between 2022 and 2024
The financial harms of sports betting are concentrated among households already experiencing distress — gambling’s economic damage falls disproportionately on those who can least absorb it. These costs may partially offset gambling’s tax revenue contributions when healthcare, social services, and law enforcement costs are factored in.
Crime
Research on the relationship between gambling and crime shows a mixed picture, with most studies finding that aggregate crime rates do not increase significantly but that specific gambling-related offenses often do.
- Gambling-related crimes are most commonly non-violent and income-generating — including theft, fraud, bad checks, and other financial offenses
- Prison populations show up to 20 times the rate of problem gambling compared to non-inmates, though the direction of causality is not established
- Counties with new casinos experienced a six-year increase in aggregate crime; adjacent counties saw shorter-term increases, with long-term effects diminishing
- A 2024 Massachusetts study found no significant overall crime change after casino opening, but found specific increases in fraud, theft, domestic violence, extortion, and prostitution in host communities
- The same Massachusetts study found significant increases in traffic volume and traffic accidents in casino host communities
- 59% of studies on casinos and crime show no major increase in local crime overall; about one-third found mixed results; the remainder found an overall increase
The evidence on gambling and overall crime rates is inconclusive, largely because most studies fail to control for increased police presence and out-of-area visitor traffic near new venues. However, gambling-specific crimes — particularly financial offenses and domestic violence — do appear to increase near gambling facilities even when aggregate crime rates remain stable.
Veterans and Gambling Disorder
Veterans are identified as a high-risk population for gambling disorder, with elevated rates of co-occurring psychiatric conditions — particularly PTSD and substance use disorders — and significant underdiagnosis within VA healthcare settings.
Prevalence and Co-Occurring Conditions
The following figures describe the extent of gambling disorder among veterans and its overlap with other psychiatric diagnoses.
- 27% of veterans report problems due to gambling
- 66–79% of veterans seeking treatment report gambling cravings or urges
- 33% of veterans in treatment have comorbid substance abuse and gambling disorder
- 29.5% of veterans in treatment have a lifetime PTSD diagnosis
- Baseline PTSD symptoms are significantly associated with a higher risk of developing problem gambling 10 years later
Suicide Risk
Veterans with gambling disorder face particularly elevated suicide risk — a combination of the financial and psychological consequences of addiction and underlying trauma.
- 39.5% of veteran compulsive gamblers have previously attempted suicide
- Veterans with gambling disorder plus chronic pain are 1.9 times more likely to attempt suicide than veterans with a pain disorder alone
Homelessness and Treatment Gaps
Nearly 40% of veteran compulsive gamblers have previously attempted suicide, and gambling disorder is second only to illicit drug use as a predictor of homelessness among veterans. Despite this, VA systems are failing to identify and treat the condition — representing a critical and largely unaddressed gap in veteran mental healthcare.
Problem Gambling in Asian American Communities
Asian American communities in New York State experience gambling at high rates, with significant cultural factors shaping both motivations to gamble and barriers to seeking help. The data below are drawn from community-based interviews and surveys conducted through New York State’s seven OASAS-funded Problem Gambling Resource Centers (Colby et al., 2022), making the findings directly applicable to the New York State population.
Gambling Participation and Motivations
When interviewed, Asian American community members described a mix of social, recreational, financial, and psychological reasons for gambling — many of which are closely associated with escalation to problem gambling.
- Entertainment and social aspect: 65% of interviewees
- Quick or easy money: 60%
- Boredom: 40%
- Lack of alternative entertainment options: 25%
- Relaxation and stress relief: 20%+
- Improving family finances or escaping poverty: fewer than 20%
- Over 80% of interviewees were aware of organized bus transportation within their communities to casinos
Social and entertainment motivations are the most commonly cited reasons for gambling, but a significant share gamble in pursuit of financial gain or as an escape from stress — motivations strongly associated with escalation to disordered gambling.
Gambling Types and Locations
The two tables below show the types of gambling and the locations where community members gamble, including some unregulated or illegal venues.
Types of Gambling
| Gambling Type | % of Interviewees |
| Casino games | 78% |
| Lottery | 43% |
| Mahjong | 35% |
| Sports betting | 30% |
| Keno, scratch tickets, other | 28% |
| Poker / online gambling | 15% |
Gambling Locations
| Gambling Location | % of Interviewees |
| Casinos | 83% |
| Small shops (lottery tickets) | 35% |
| In homes | 30% |
| Private places (serious gamblers) | 13% |
| Illegal / underground casinos | 10% |
| Clubs and parks | 5% |
Casino games dominate, with 83% of participants naming casinos as their primary gambling venue. The 10% who report use of illegal underground casinos is particularly concerning, as these venues offer no consumer protections or problem gambling interventions.
Family and Social Impacts
Community interviewees documented wide-ranging negative effects of problem gambling on Asian American families, with domestic violence, harm to children, and family breakdown among the most frequently reported consequences.
- 65% reported gambling had negative impacts on families
- 73% cited negative impacts on children
- 55% listed domestic violence (physical, verbal, or emotional) as a side effect of gambling
- 45% cited divorce or separation
- 33% cited family or child neglect
- 33% reported mental health deterioration in the gambler, the family, or both
- 15% mentioned death or suicide as an impact of problem gambling
- 15% cited bad reputation or family shaming
Nearly two-thirds of interviewees reported that gambling negatively impacts families, and children suffer in nearly three-quarters of cases. The intersection of problem gambling and domestic violence is acute: 55% cited it as a side effect, with the root cause often being uncontrolled gambling by a spouse.
Financial Coping Strategies
When gambling-related debt arises, community members rely on a range of sources of money — many of which are high-risk or carry severe financial consequences of their own.
- Ask friends: 65%
- Ask loan sharks: 38%
- Borrow from family: 33%
- Take out high-interest loans: 23%
- Pawn items: 23%
- Sell property: 15%
- Work more jobs or overtime: 13%
The reliance on loan sharks (38%) and high-interest loans (23%) is especially alarming, as these create cycles of debt that compound gambling’s financial harm. Only 13% turn to additional work as a coping strategy — the majority resort to informal or predatory borrowing that deepens financial vulnerability.
Treatment Barriers and Cultural Factors
Cultural stigma and the lack of culturally competent services create significant barriers to treatment access across Asian American communities.
- 65% of interviewees were unsure of where to seek help if needed
- 20% noted that the Asian community gets health information primarily through trusted community organizations that speak their language
Treatment strategies for Asian American communities must account for deep cultural stigma around both gambling problems and mental health care. Outreach through trusted community organizations in community languages, and family-inclusive treatment approaches, are essential for reaching this population effectively.
New York’s National Standing
New York ranks 13th overall among the most gambling-addicted states in the United States, based on a composite score that considers both gambling-friendliness (access and volume) and the quality of problem gambling and treatment infrastructure.
| Rank | State | Total Score | Gambling-Friendliness Rank | Problem & Treatment Rank |
| 1 | Nevada | 71.83 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | South Dakota | 65.62 | 2 | 15 |
| 3 | Montana | 58.59 | 7 | 5 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 53.75 | 6 | 22 |
| 9 | Oregon | 50.51 | 10 | 8 |
| 10 | New Jersey | 50.41 | 9 | 19 |
| 11 | Texas | 47.77 | 26 | 3 |
| 13 | New York | 45.72 | 14 | 26 |
New York ranks 14th in gambling-friendliness but only 26th in problem gambling and treatment infrastructure — a 12-place gap that indicates the state’s gambling ecosystem substantially outpaces its support systems. By contrast, Texas ranks 3rd in problem and treatment infrastructure despite very limited legal gambling, while New Jersey — New York’s closest comparable — maintains a stronger treatment rank (19th) alongside comparable mobile sports betting access.
Conclusion
New York has built one of the largest legal gambling industries in the United States, generating nearly $10 billion in annual revenue — yet the public health infrastructure to address its harms remains critically underfunded. The 2020 prevalence survey found that at least 111,000 New York adults are problem or pathological gamblers, and 4.4% are at risk. Since mobile sports betting was legalized in 2022, treatment utilization is up nearly 50%, helpline calls up 30%, and self-exclusion applications up 68% — while OASAS receives just $9.3 million annually to respond.
The harms fall hardest on those least able to absorb them: veterans, adolescents, lower-income households, and BIPOC communities all face disproportionately high problem gambling rates and the greatest barriers to care. New York ranks 14th in gambling access but only 26th in treatment infrastructure. Closing that gap — through adequate funding, stronger regulation, and independent research — is the clearest obligation the state’s gambling revenues create.
Sources:
- 2020 New York State Problem Gambling Prevalence Survey
- 2020 OASAS Problem Gambling Prevalence Survey Summary
- The State of New York Gambling
- Play it Safe: Mitigating Gambling Harms in New York
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