New York Aims to Bolster Gambling Safeguards, Combat Underage Betting
Published:
,
02:55 p.m.
ET
“No other form of gambling has pervaded our consciousness like sports wagering, and impressionable kids are constantly exposed to the practice.”
-Gaming Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer
Following instruction from New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State Address, the New York State Gaming Commission released a detailed draft outlining a host of new protections aimed at curbing underage betting and combating gambling-related harm for all who are legally able to gamble.
New York’s licensed gambling operators accepted $554.7 million in wagers during the week ending March 22, the first weekend of 2026 March Madness. This was the third straight weekly period that it took in more than half-a-billion in bets. As the nation’s largest betting market, New York is uniquely positioned to confront the risks that come with scale.
Governor Hochul previewed the sweeping measures, emphasizing the need for strong regulatory safeguards in the space of legal, regulated gaming.
In order to protect NY youth and help those who need it at the point of crisis, the goals are to prevent underage residents (under 21 years old) from downloading betting apps, creating accounts or using others’ accounts, prevent operators from using AI to target bettors and implement triggers that require operators to step in and check on their customers.
Proposed new Responsible Gaming rules
The Gaming Commission published two drafts:
Detail potential safeguards to protect youth,
Implement additional responsible gaming practices
The Commission is seeking feedback on draft language from the sports wagering industry, responsible gaming advocates, problem gambling treatment professionals, parent-teacher organizations, schools, religious organizations and more. Comments will be accepted until May 15, 2026.
The first draft proposes these solutions:
Using age-assurance and device registration controls to prevent underage persons from downloading or installing a gambling app.
Requiring biometric data to ensure the individual who creates a betting account is the only one using it. Account holders would be given two months to provide biometric data.
Requiring biometric ID before placing a wager and again before the wager is accepted.
Using geolocation data to block attempts to place mobile wagers if it is not the primary phone of the account holder.
Blocking account access if the account is live in more than one area simultaneously.
Preventing social security numbers from being used to create accounts for 18+ users.
Open reporting of suspected access to betting accounts for individuals who are ineligible to place bets
Prohibiting all forms of legal gambling for individuals who allow access to underage persons.
The second proposal outlined a plan to identify and support at-risk gamblers with specific triggers sparking operator intervention. Operators would be required to track patterns that flag potential compulsive gambling in real time, such as:
Depositing more than $10,000 in 24 hours
Depositing $100,000 over 90 days
Canceling withdrawals three times in a 10-day period
Time spent logged into their account increases by 50 percent or more during the current week, compared to the immediately preceding two-week period
Once triggered, operators must take escalating action:
Phase 1: Contact patron and provide responsible gaming tools and resources, including time, loss and deposit limits, cool-off period options, self-exclusion requests and account closure procedures
Phase 2: Require users to watch educational content about gambling harm in order to continue gambling
Phase 3: Direct outreach from the operator’s responsible gaming lead, with possible account suspension on the line
Each operator would need to designate a professional responsible for monitoring at-risk users, maintaining records of concerning behavior and ensuring users are not targeted with additional promotions. The creation of this role creates accountability within betting platforms themselves.
Cracking down on underage gambling
A major focus of the proposal is preventing underage access to betting platforms. The first items on the first bulleted list in the section prior to this one get at the core of the youth gambling protections:
Biometric identity verification
Users will be required to submit biometric data, such as facial recognition, to successfully create and access accounts.
Device registration controls
Accounts will be tied to a specific device, preventing unauthorized use.
Geolocation monitoring
Systems would flag suspicious activity, such as logins from unfamiliar locations and simultaneous access from different regions
Accountability for adults
Adults who allow minors to use their accounts could face sweeping bans from all gambling activities in the state.
Banning AI technology?
One of the most notable proposals is a potential ban on AI-driven targeting within gambling platforms. Regulators are considering prohibiting operators from using artificial intelligence to:
Personalize promotions
Suggest wagers
Recommend betting amounts
Why target AI? Modern betting platforms rely heavily on data and algorithms to predict user behavior and can use that to deliver personalized offers that maximize engagement.
While effective for business, these tools can also amplify risk for vulnerable users. AI-driven systems can identify when someone is most likely to place a bet and deliver targeted incentives at that exact moment. Critics argue this crosses a line from marketing into behavioral manipulation.
New York’s proposal is part of a larger national and global conversation about ethical use of AI and consumer protection in digital environments. If implemented, these rules could set a precedent for other states.
Gambling Addiction treatment in New York
As access to gambling expands, so does the need for accessible, effective treatment.
Problem gambling can impact every area of life, including family, relationships, financial stability, mental health and emotional well-being. Common warning signs of a gambling problem include chasing losses and an inability to stop despite negative consequences.
However, recovery from gambling addiction is possible, and many individuals benefit from structured therapeutic support.
Birches Health offers specialized treatment for gambling addiction through a secure, confidential telehealth recovery program available across New York.
The Birches recovery program includes:
One-on-one therapy with licensed clinicians
Peer support and group therapy
Family and couples counseling
Financial wellness support
Since care is delivered online, individuals across all of New York can access support from anywhere, whether in New York City, Buffalo or other communities.
If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, specialized support is available.
Email help@bircheshealth.com
