New York Senator Advocates for Raising VLT Gambling Age
New York Senator Joseph Addabbo has long campaigned for legalization and regulation of gambling, but he has always remained mindful of its potential downsides.
Picture of 7 video lottery terminals. New York senator seeks higher gambling age for VLTs.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Proposed Bill Targets VLT Age Restrictions
As part of his efforts to safeguard vulnerable people, Sen. Addabbo is proposing to raise the legal gambling age to 21 for those using Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) across the state. Sen. Addabbo has introduced Senate Bill 2610, and one of its points is to increase the minimum age for gambling on New York’s 17,600 VLTs. While these machines include the term “lottery” in their description, they function much in the same way slot machines. This, combined with their addictive potential, makes them a higher-risk form of gambling, particularly for younger players.
The senator is arguing that stricter age limits for VLTs are necessary to mitigate harm among vulnerable groups. Currently, VLTs are located at popular venues such as the Saratoga Casino Hotel and Resorts World Hudson Valley, so a change in law would require these establishments to adjust their policies.
Although the bill raises the age limit for VLTs to 21, it does not propose changes to the gambling age for standard lottery games, which would remain at 18. However, the Quick Draw keno-style game, often classified separately, would also fall under the new 21-and-over requirement if the bill is enacted.
This proposal aligns with New York’s commercial casino regulations, which already set 21 as the minimum age for gambling. The change would focus solely on VLTs, Quick Draw, and the venues hosting these games.
Related: New York City Casino License Applicants Upgrade Proposals
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Balancing Regulation and Industry Impact
While the proposed age increase is likely to face resistance from some venues, Sen. Addabbo believes the move is a necessary step towards greater social responsibility in gambling. Despite past setbacks on issues such as legalizing online casino gaming, he has developed a reputation for shaping the state’s gaming legislation.
As the chair of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering, Sen. Addabbo is well-positioned to push for SB2610. The bill will first be evaluated by his committee before moving to the Senate Rules Committee and potentially proceed to a full vote.
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