New York Expands Support Against Mobile Sports Betting Harm

New York’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports is expanding efforts to address problem gambling as mobile sports betting apps become more accessible. Legal mobile sports betting began in the state in 2022, bringing wagering into phones and other digital platforms while raising concerns about how easily people can place repeated bets.

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OASAS is using its “Take a Pause” campaign to encourage people to consider how much they are spending and whether betting remains an enjoyable activity or has become a cycle of wagers. The campaign is aimed at people experiencing gambling problems and is supported by information and resources available through the agency’s gambling webpage.

Campaign Draws More Visitors

OASAS Associate Commissioner Jerry Gretzinger said traffic to the agency’s gambling webpage has increased each year. The site recorded about 38,000 visitors in 2022, while visits had reached 190,000 from January 1 through August 21, 2026.

The new campaign messages feature the stories of individuals suffering from gambling addiction or problem gambling. This message, as described by Gretzinger, lets people realize that they have the ability to change their behaviors and enhance their lives.

The advertisement campaign does not claim that gambling is negative. On the contrary, the message of the campaign advises users to slow down and be conscious of their behavior.

Concerns Among Younger Bettors

Mary O’Hara, who visits Saratoga Race Course with friends from Long Island, said mobile betting could create greater risks for younger people. She described her own group’s gambling as casual and said they visit traditional racetracks rather than regularly using mobile sports betting apps.

O’Hara said her son had downloaded an app to bet on soccer during the World Cup despite having no previous betting experience. She added that such a win might motivate a person to go ahead and try their hand at different kinds of games and bet on them.

Saratoga Springs has a legacy of gambling. There were instances of casinos and gambling dens being set up there since the 1840s, and 100 years down the line, New York introduced its own pari-mutuel betting system for the Saratoga Race Course.

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Research Links Betting To Financial Harm

A working paper from researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California examined the effect of online sports betting in 38 states where it has been approved.

The researchers found that bankruptcies increased by 28% and debt-collection amounts rose by 8%. The paper estimated that online sports betting contributes to roughly 100,000 additional bankruptcy filings each year.

The research adds to concerns being discussed by New York officials as mobile wagering expands. State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, who chairs the Committee on Racing and Wagering, said she has been working to add friction to mobile gambling operations.

Kalshi Case Adds Regulatory Debate

In July, New York Governor Kathy Hochul filed a case against prediction market Kalshi, accusing the organization of running an illegal gambling operation. Kalshi has referred to itself as a regulated exchange and prediction market, wherein users trade on events in the real world.

The dispute adds another issue to the state’s wider discussion about mobile wagering and prediction markets. It also reflects the different views about how digital platforms should be classified and regulated.

Focus On Awareness And Control

OASAS is continuing to use the “Take a Pause” campaign and personal experiences to reach people affected by gambling problems. Gretzinger said the aim is to help users recognize when betting is affecting their finances, time, family connections, or friendships.

As mobile sports betting continues in New York, the state is combining public education, support resources, and policy discussions to address potential harm. The campaign’s message remains focused on awareness, slower decisions, and understanding the consequences of continued wagering.

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Source: WAMC