TLDR
- New York’s OASAS is expanding its “Take a Pause” campaign to fight problem gambling.
- Traffic to the state’s gambling help webpage grew from 38,000 visitors in 2022 to 190,000 by August 2026.
- A UCLA and USC study found online sports betting raised bankruptcies by 28% in states that allow it.
- Some bettors worry mobile apps make it easier for young or inexperienced people to start gambling.
- Governor Kathy Hochul filed a case against prediction market Kalshi over alleged illegal gambling.
New York is stepping up efforts to help people affected by problem gambling. The push comes as mobile sports betting apps keep growing across the state.
Legal mobile sports betting started in New York in 2022. It let people place bets from their phones instead of only at tracks or casinos.
The state’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports runs the effort. It uses a campaign called “Take a Pause” to reach people who may be struggling.
The campaign asks bettors to think about how much money and time they spend gambling. It also asks whether betting still feels fun or has turned into a hard habit to break.
More People Are Seeking Help
Visits to the state’s gambling help webpage have grown each year since mobile betting began.
The page had about 38,000 visitors in 2022. By August 21, 2026, that number had climbed to 190,000 for the year.
OASAS Associate Commissioner Jerry Gretzinger said the campaign uses real stories from people who have faced gambling problems. He said the goal is to show people they can change their habits.
The campaign does not say gambling is bad. It simply asks people to slow down and pay attention to their choices.
Younger Bettors Raise New Concerns
Some bettors say mobile apps create new risks, especially for younger or inexperienced players.
Mary O’Hara, who visits Saratoga Race Course with friends, said her son downloaded a betting app during the World Cup even though he had never bet before.
O’Hara said an early win on an app could push someone to try other types of bets. She said her own group sticks to casual, in-person betting at the track instead.
Saratoga Springs has a long gambling history. Casinos and gambling dens operated there as far back as the 1840s, and New York later added official pari-mutuel betting at the track.
A working paper from researchers at UCLA and USC looked at online sports betting across 38 states. The study found bankruptcies rose by 28% in states that allow it.
Debt collection amounts also rose by about 8% in those states, according to the researchers. They estimated online sports betting adds roughly 100,000 bankruptcy filings a year nationwide.
State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, who leads the Committee on Racing and Wagering, said she is working to add more friction to mobile gambling apps.
In July, Governor Kathy Hochul filed a case against Kalshi, a prediction market platform. The state accused Kalshi of running an illegal gambling operation.
Kalshi describes itself as a regulated exchange where users trade on the outcome of real world events. The case has added to debate over how these platforms should be classified.
OASAS plans to keep running the “Take a Pause” campaign as mobile betting continues to expand in the state. Gretzinger said the goal is helping people notice when gambling starts to affect their money, time, or relationships.
State officials are combining public education, support resources, and policy talks to respond to the growth of mobile betting. The campaign’s focus stays on awareness and slower decision making.
