UPDATE: The New York Gaming Commission has just approved three new casinos in Queens and the Bronx, igniting urgent discussions about the potential rise of gambling addiction in the region. This decision, announced earlier this week, raises critical questions about public health as the state shifts focus to anticipated tax revenues from gaming, hotels, and retail.
The approval has sparked immediate concern from addiction specialists, including Heather Hugelmeyer, LCSW, a senior director for behavioral health at Northwell Health. She warns that the fallout from this decision could be severe, with more people struggling with gambling use disorder. “Our patients with gambling addiction are already part of New York’s gambling landscape, and this will only exacerbate the situation,” Hugelmeyer stated.
As the casinos are expected to open by 2030, officials fear a surge in gambling-related issues such as binge drinking and mental health crises. Calls to gambling help lines are already on the rise, indicating that many individuals are unaware of the dangers associated with increased gambling accessibility.
The decision to approve these casinos comes at a time when gambling proponents promote the idea of personal responsibility. However, Hugelmeyer and her team emphasize that addiction is a complex issue, deeply rooted in neurobiology and not merely a matter of choice. “Telling people to ‘gamble responsibly’ is ineffective against the compulsive nature of addiction,” she asserted.
Research shows that gambling activates the brain’s reward system, leading individuals to believe they can win, which is a dangerous fallacy. The only true winners in gambling are the casinos and the apps. Hugelmeyer stresses that understanding the signs of problem gambling is essential for families and communities.
To combat this emerging crisis, Northwell Health is adopting a public health approach by implementing screenings to identify potential problem gamblers and educating school leaders about the increasing gambling risks among adolescents. “Children and teens are at higher risk for developing gambling issues, and we must start educating them early,” Hugelmeyer explained.
With three casinos on the horizon, the urgency to foster awareness and preventive measures is greater than ever. The state must take decisive action to ensure that the health repercussions of gambling do not overshadow the anticipated economic benefits.
As New Yorkers brace for the impact of these casinos, the message remains clear: no one is just one bet away from a life-changing victory. The time to act is now, before gambling addiction becomes the next public health epidemic.
