The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today announced the availability of up to $3.3 million in annual funding to establish seven Problem Gambling Resource Centers in the Central, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, New York City, Northeast and Western regions of New York State. Each Center will serve as a central hub for facilitating problem gambling awareness, community education, prevention, treatment and recovery support services in its region. The Centers will be funded through annual licensing fees that casinos operating in New York State pay for each gambling table and slot machine at their facilities.

The funding announcement coincides with a proclamation recognizing March 2018 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in New York State. You can view the proclamation here.

"With an increase in gaming statewide, it's important to note the very real problems of gambling addiction that may affect New Yorkers and their families," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "We want to ensure that people have the resources and services they need to address problem gambling to not only treat those who are struggling with addiction, but also to help prevent people from becoming addicted."

“Governor Cuomo is taking aggressive actions to combat addiction in all its forms in New York State,” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “With these Resource Centers, we can provide specialized services to help those at risk for or struggling with problem gambling and their families address the addiction and live healthier lives.”

“As a founding member of New York’s Responsible Play Partnership, The Gaming Commission remains committed to educating New Yorkers about problem gambling and building awareness of prevention and treatment options available statewide,” said New York State Gaming Commission Acting Director Ronald Ochrym. “These Resource Centers, funded by a $500 fee for each table game and slot machine located inside a New York-licensed commercial casino further demonstrate our commitment to minimizing harm for those at risk for or struggling with problem gambling.”

Pursuant to the 2013 law legalizing casino gambling in New York State, new casinos are required to deposit a $500 annual license fee into the Commercial Gaming Revenue Fund for every slot machine and gambling table they operate. The law requires that the funds must be used exclusively for problem gambling education and treatment purposes. 

The up to $3.3 million in annual funding for the new Centers will be available through a three-year contract with OASAS. A provider to establish and operate the centers will be selected through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The RFP can be viewed here. Responses to the RFP are due April 23, 2018.

In addition to facilitating problem gambling services in the regions, the Centers will build collaborative relationships with local gambling facilities to ensure information and referrals are available to people who identify as having a gambling problem.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.

Visit CombatAddiction.ny.gov to learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations with loved ones and communities about addiction. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the State's Talk2Prevent website.