As policymakers consider possible expansion of revenue streams from gaming, state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has released a report on the industry in the state that calls for improvements in finding an appropriate balance between reliance on revenue generated from gaming activities and problem gambling.

“The lottery generates billions of dollars each year for New York,” DiNapoli said. “While numbers are down this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Gaming Commission is studying ways to boost revenues going forward. Before expanding gambling, the state must take a closer look at the impacts of casinos and other gaming already in place, as well as the problem of compulsive gambling.”

REVENUE PICTURE

New York collects more gaming revenue than any other state, totaling nearly $3.7 billion in state fiscal year 2019-20. The state generates revenue for its budget and for localities through traditional lottery games, video lottery terminals (VLTs), racetrack wagering, casinos, sports betting and other authorized activities.

Traditional lottery games remain the dominant contributor to gaming revenues, providing two-thirds of total gaming receipts in the 2019-20 fiscal year. They generated $2.5 billion while VLTs, which are legally part of the lottery, added $944 million.

DiNapoli noted the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on gaming revenues. The Division of the Budget projects total gaming revenues will decline by $616 million this year, primarily because of mandatory closings of casinos and VLT facilities for six months starting in mid-March. While lottery games have been available without interruption, those revenues were also impacted by the pandemic. Through September 2020, lottery revenues totaled $958 million, a decline of nearly $132 million from the same period in 2019. Lottery revenues for the fiscal year are projected to decline by $293 million or 11.8 percent from the previous year.

The report found the state spent more than $90 million last fiscal year marketing the lottery. In addition to the lottery’s marketing costs, VLT facilities reported marketing spending totaling nearly $182 million in the 2018-19 state fiscal year, bringing combined marketing spending for state-sanctioned gaming activities to more than $272 million.

In 2013, voters approved an amendment to the state Constitution to authorize up to seven commercial casinos. Four have opened to date. Since opening, and before closures caused by the pandemic, casinos failed to meet their original financial projections. Overall, actual revenues have been about two-thirds of casino developers’ initial projections and thus far economic benefits appear to be modest.

SPENDING TO MARKET GAMING FAR OUTWEIGHS TREATMENT FOR GAMBLING PROBLEMS

The state has taken some steps to prevent and address the problem of compulsive gambling. The Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) has engaged two contractors to analyze the prevalence of problem gambling among New Yorkers. The agency also launched a statewide media campaign to raise awareness of problem gambling, which disproportionately occurs among males, African Americans and adults who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

According to OASAS, state spending on prevention, treatment and recovery services related to problem gambling in the 2019-20 fiscal year was expected to total $5.7 million.