New York has taken a substantial step forward in supporting individuals struggling with gambling addictions by rolling out the Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) Support Program. The innovative initiative empowers those wrestling with gambling problems to effectively bar themselves from participating in all legal gambling activities within the state’s jurisdiction. This blanket prohibition encompasses entry to licensed gambling venues as well as online betting platforms.
Understanding the grave need for such a framework, the VSE Support Program extends the capabilities of the New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG). The program trains NYCPG personnel to adeptly guide affected individuals through the self-exclusion procedure and aids them in correctly filling out the essential paperwork. Crucially, NYCPG representatives serve as a bridge, connecting those in need with specialist providers of problem gambling treatment. Once connected, individuals can avail themselves of a spectrum of services including counselling, peer support, and focused recovery programs.
The NYCPG’s work is embedded within the New York State RPP and garners strong backing from both the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and the New York State Gaming Commission. The NYCPG’s executive director, James Maney, vocalized the organization’s ethos, emphasizing their dedication to assisting those calling out for aid by diminishing formidable barriers. Maney accentuates the accessibility of the new online notary services which simplify the remote VSE process and ensure the individual’s connection to compassionate staff well-versed in the requisite procedures.
Echoing Maney’s sentiments, OASAS commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham affirmed the VSE’s role as an impactful preventative strategy that can significantly reduce gambling-related harm. She highlighted that the newly established support program doesn’t just streamline the self-exclusion process, but also creates avenues for the afflicted to tap into local gambling community support services, thereby curtailing the risk of further damage.
Stepping into the discourse, the New York State Gaming Commission’s executive director Robert Williams asserted the Commission’s dedication to the mindful operation of licensed facilities. He emphasized the value of the VSE Support Program in imparting knowledge and resources crucial to making informed decisions for one’s welfare.
This progressive move arrives amidst an all-time high in New York’s sports betting expenditures. Historical data reflects that players wagered an unprecedented $2.01 billion in October alone, a milestone that overshadows all records established since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was repealed in 2018. This marked increase, a 30.5% surge compared to the previous year’s figures and a 14.2% uptick from the preceding month, underscores the timing and necessity of the VSE Support Program. Moreover, betting revenues soared to a new pinnacle, reaching $166.3 million and outstripping both the former peak and last year’s numbers.
Amidst this financial boom, Flutter Entertainment-owned FanDuel leads the pack in New York’s market, generating $83.1 million in revenue from an enormous $891.9 million in Internet-based bets in the month of October. This financial report sets the stage, underlining the pertinence of the VSE Support Program in safeguarding the wellbeing of New Yorkers.
In an age where gambling opportunities are ever-expanding, the VSE Support Program stands out as a beacon of hope – an exemplar of what proactive, compassionate intervention can look like for those grappling with the challenges of gambling addiction. New York thus sets a precedent, paving the way for a future where support and healing are readily accessible to all who seek them.
