New York State’s Responsible Play Partnership (RPP) – the New York State Gaming Commission (Commission), the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), and the New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) – continues to support licensed gaming operators’ efforts to make gambling safe and responsible.

The American Gaming Association has designated September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month to highlight the industry’s efforts to promote gaming literacy and consumer education, elevate employee training, and work with partners to advance the understanding of responsible gambling. The RPP works closely with New York State’s gaming industry to ensure it has the resources and tools to create a responsible gaming environment at their venue(s).

Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer said, “By collaborating with our partners at OASAS and the New York Council on Problem Gambling, we are ensuring that responsible gambling practices are a priority for all gaming platforms operating in New York State. We applaud our colleagues for educating New Yorkers about problem gambling as we continue to create a safe and responsible gaming environment.”

OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “Along with our partners in the Responsible Play Partnership, we have made strong steps to increase help and support for New Yorkers affected by problem gambling. As we continue to expand these resources, including educational initiatives such as our ongoing ‘Take a Pause’ campaign, we are ensuring that more people are able to learn about the importance of gambling responsibly, as well as where and how to connect to services if they or a loved one are impacted by problem gambling.”

NYCPG Executive Director Michelle Hadden said, “We are pleased to be working closely with our RPP partners this RGEM, and throughout the year, to address the potential harms caused by gambling. Increasing awareness and providing educational opportunities is essential to ensuring that our casino operators and their staff are prepared to support patrons who are struggling. Our ongoing collaboration at RPP and with operators helps to bridge the gap between the supports that exist and the people in need.”

Earlier this year, the Commission updated its sports wagering regulations to require all operators to maintain specific patron demographic data points so that problem gambling education and treatment resources can be best directed and make the most impact. Prior to the rule amendment, the Commission only had access to demographic data for those individuals who voluntarily self-excluded in New York State. This analysis of this anonymized patron information – representing millions of wagering datapoints for millions of anonymized individuals – is a primary source for the State’s annual report on mobile sports wagering demographics. The latest report will be released soon. 

In March, the Commission hosted an educational listening session regarding advertising regulations to address practical implementation challenges in complying with the Commission’s advertising regulations and state law that require advertisements to “clearly and conspicuously” state a problem gambling hotline number. The session included representatives from licensees of the Commission’s Gaming and Racing Divisions, OASAS, NYCPG, and other interested parties to identify and address challenges with achieving compliance with the law.

The RPP is preparing enhanced training materials for video lottery and commercial casino employees to better educate them on how to recognize the negative behaviors that can be caused by gambling, how to interact with someone who may be exhibiting such behaviors, and how to get them help in a timely manner. This month, NYCPG will release Responsible Gambling Ambassador Training to educate casino management staff tasked with assisting staff and patrons. The in-person training focuses on addressing real-world examples of the harms associated with gambling, how to address such at the facility, and includes interactive skill development. The Commission will host a webinar at the end of September to introduce the training to casino operators.

Additionally, the RPP will release a new responsible gambling webpage template for all New York State-based gaming operators, which will provide operators a unified message about the potential harms associated with gambling, how to mitigate them, and how to access individualized support services in communities across the State utilizing their own corporate branding.

New York State has the nation’s only blanket voluntary self-exclusion program that allows individuals to bar themselves from all legal gaming opportunity in the state. The RPP continues to make enhancements to the program so that individuals who self-exclude have access to free and confidential help when they sign up. This includes offering an opt in option to receive a call from a HOPEline staff person. In addition, the NYCPG’s free Voluntary Self Exclusion Support Program is available via VSESupport@nycpg.org or 518-903-0217 to help those who wish to self-exclude navigate the process. The NYCPG’s Voluntary Self Exclusion Support program:

• Explains the self-exclusion process in plain language
• Assists with completing the necessary forms VSE, including notarization
• Connects the individual to a community program that addresses the prevention or mitigation of gambling harms

Those seeking help can call New York State’s free and confidential HOPEline 24/7 at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or text HOPENY (467369).