As the Super Bowl approaches on February 8, 2026, Letitia James, the Attorney General of New York, has issued a consumer alert to warn players against the financial risks of...
New York Governor proposes new gambling harm rules
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Gaming Commission have proposed introducing new gambling harm rules to focus on protecting underage access to betting apps and banning the use of AI to target gamblers.
The proposals were developed by the New York State Gaming Commission after the governor’s 2026 State of the State address, and if passed, they would affect all licensed operators in the state.
Governor Hochul commented:
“Mobile sports wagering is everywhere, enticing everyone, including our youth, to place bets without fully considering the consequences. We need strong regulatory safeguards to prevent those under 21 from gambling, keep artificial intelligence from preying on gamblers, and require sports wagering operators to take real action if one of their customers is showing signs of gambling harm. As a reminder: Only legal, regulated gaming has such safeguards in place.”
The proposal is considering adding biometric data for opening an account and requiring operators to use geolocation controls to identify suspicious activity. Prohibiting operators from using AI to offer personalized promotions is also a main point of the regulations.
Gaming Commission chair Brian O’Dwyer added:
“As Governor Hochul rightly highlighted, no other form of gambling has pervaded our consciousness like sports wagering, and impressionable kids are constantly exposed to the practice. Per her direction, we have identified additional ways to protect our youth, help those who need it at the point of crisis, and keep legalised, regulated gaming safe for all New Yorkers. We look forward to hearing from the public on these important proposals.”
There are also suggestions to create a tiered intervention framework similar to New Jersey’s, ordering operators to appoint a responsible gaming lead to monitor players for problem gambling behavior.
Senate Bill S8889 proposes to establish a formal licensing and supervision authority for prediction market platforms in New York.If passed, the bill would amend the...
