New York Makes Significant Change to Sports Betting Advertising Rules

Michael Savio
By: Michael Savio
10/03/2024
Responsible Gambling
New York Makes Significant Change to Sports Betting Advertising Rules
Photo by King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0

Key Takeaways

  • All operators must add new warnings about gambling addiction to ads
  • The law will affect both sportsbooks and online casinos
  • New regulations comes just a few weeks after SAFE Bet Act was proposed

The Empire State may have just changed the sports betting industry forever.

New York is significantly changing how sports betting operators can advertise in the market. Governor Kathy Hochul signed S1550/A1118 into law this week, adding additional responsible gaming messaging to all gambling-related ads. The change will give the market the strictest advertising regulations in the country.

The proposed bill will affect both sportsbooks and casinos in the state.

New Law Requires New Warnings

Under the new law, all gambling operators must include additional messaging on problem gambling in any advertisement. The warning will need to include information on the potential side effects of gambling addiction and how online betting can be the cause. While the exact wording has yet to be set, the change will put the sports betting industry in line with the rules around ads for tobacco products.

Protecting New Yorkers from the dangerous and addictive effects of problem gambling and sports betting is vitally important to the prosperity of our great state.” Governor Hochel said in a press release. “I want New Yorkers to be able to safely enjoy the activities they love and proceed with caution when necessary.” 

Before the bill became law, gambling operators were only required to include information on the problem gambling hotline.

More States Could Follow Suit

A call for regulation changes around gambling advertisements has been growing over the last couple of years. Problem gaming continues sparking as sports betting and online casinos spread across the US. Many legislatures have pointed to advertising techniques used by operators as a leading cause.

While the new law may be small in scope, the change will undoubtedly have a massive effect. While responsible gaming messaging has been prevalent, the same cannot be said for gambling addiction. New York is hoping the new messaging will make those who have struggled with addiction or compulsive behavior think twice before betting.

New Regulations Follow the Proposal of SAFE Bet Act

New York’s new advertising law comes just weeks after federal lawmakers proposed a bill to overhaul the industry's regulation. The SAFE Bet Act would move regulation from the states to the federal government. 

States have spent time and money building their markets, which would go to waste if the bill is passed. That seems to be motivating those markets to tighten up regulations to avoid building support for the proposal. 

Michael Savio covers the US online casino industry, giving readers insights and information they won’t find anywhere else. He has followed the retail industry since his time living in Las Vegas and has continued to do so as the online industry has taken off. Michael covers everything from online casino reviews to industry news, making him one of the most trusted insiders in the business. Check out Michael’s latest articles at casinos.com to see what he has to offer!