New York lawmakers this week continued to take a stab at tweaking the state’s online sports betting laws when the House sent A 9584 to the Senate. The bill would explicitly ban proxy betting and make some changes to the know-your-customer (KYC) process. It passed, 142-0, Wednesday, and has been assigned to the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee.
The proposal includes a host of new definitions, including “at-risk sports bettor,” “elevated-risk sports bettor” and “high-risk sports bettor,” which would be flagged after completing a risk assessment. Operators would be required to keep an updated list of “at-risk sports bettors,” as well as monitor those at risk for behavioral change.
The definitions should make it so operators can determine what level of intervention to apply in certain cases. The bill also adds a definition for a “risk assessment” that operators should use to gauge addiction concerns. In addition, the bill would prohibit operators from sharing customer information with third parties and require operators to delete all customer data when an account is closed.
With regard to proxy betting, the bill would not only ban it, but would allow operators to designate a bettor who acts as a proxy or allows his/her account to be used by another to be banned.
The bill is one of more than a dozen circulating in Albany. The latest addition is the “No Gambling Ads for Kids Act,” which was introduced Thursday and would prohibit certain digital and social media platforms from taking paid advertisements, sponsored content, and more aimed at minors from any gambling related entity. A 10712 was referred to the Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee.
Earlier this week, the House sent a bill that would form a “proposition betting task force” with the mission of examining proposition bets, particularly the “under,” to the Senate. A 10538, which passed, 100-43, would require a report be sent to the legislature by Dec. 31. It was referred to the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee.
In other news …
Here’s a look at the status of other active bills around the U.S.:
Illinois: An Illinois bill that would crack down on the use of credit cards for gambling, including being used to fund wagering accounts, was unanimously voted out of the Gaming Committee Wednesday and sent to the House floor. HB 4149 would also make it illegal to use a credit card for a cash advance at at ATM in a casino, and would also ban the purchase of lottery tickets with credit cards.
Maryland: The Senate’s Budget and Taxation Committee Tuesday got its first look at HB 518. The bill would ban credit card funding for wagering accounts, and codify an existing rule that bans some college sports prop bets. The bill also addresses problem gambling, and would require the use of time and deposit limits, as well as requiring the creation of a voluntary exclusion list, and says that anyone who self-excludes be connected with problem and responsible gambling resources unless the player opts out.
The bill unanimously passed out of the House March 5. The Senate has about three weeks to take action on the bill before adjournment, which is set for April 13.
Minnesota: A technically amended version of a bill that would ban prediction markets passed out of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Friday morning, and now moves to the State and Local Affairs Committee. SF 4511 would make prediction markets illegal by removing them from a futures-exchange exception in the state’s gambling laws. Further, companies that offer predictions would be prohibited from getting gaming licenses for 10 years. Bill sponsor John Marty acknowledged that the bill may be designated late — the legislature is set to adjourn May 18 — but said “if we don’t regulate it this year, the cat is way out of the bag and it will be hard to pull in.”
SF 4139, the bill that would allow for statewide online sports betting with the tribes in charge, was referred Monday to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and then failed to get out of committee. The bill has the backing of stakeholders, but has gotten political pushback.
Wisconsin: AB 601, the bill that would allow for statewide online sports betting, was updated to “correctly enrolled” status Wednesday. This means the proposal was printed on parchment, signed by House and Senate leaders, and sent to Gov. Tony Evers for signature. Evers is expected to sign the bill, and has six days (not including Sundays) to act. Should he choose not to sign or veto the bill, it would become law without his signature.
