Albany, NY – A new proposal in the New York State Assembly would impose sweeping restrictions on online sports betting, limiting wagers and deposits while banning aggressive advertising tactics aimed at enticing gamblers.
Assemblymember Robert Carroll introduced the measure, Assembly Bill A7962A, to address what he calls the growing public health and financial toll of problem gambling since the legalization of online sports betting.
The bill seeks to cap daily wagers at $5,000 per person, prohibit “bonus bets” and “odds boost” promotions, and restrict gambling ads during certain hours and live sporting events.
Bill targets marketing tactics and betting limits
Under the proposed law, bettors could make no more than five deposits in a 24-hour period, and credit cards would be banned for sports wagers. The legislation would also outlaw proposition bets—wagers on individual plays or outcomes within games—because of their vulnerability to manipulation and potential impact on game integrity.
Advertising rules under the bill would prohibit marketing directed at minors and bar the promotion of inducement offers such as “no sweat bets.” Ads would be banned between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. and during live sports broadcasts.
Lawmakers cite rising addiction and financial distress
The measure follows national concerns about the rapid expansion of mobile sports betting since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal ban in 2018. According to the American Gaming Association, Americans legally wagered nearly $148 billion on sports in 2024, with more than 95 percent of those bets placed online.
The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that 2.5 million adults in the U.S. have severe gambling disorders, while up to 8 million have moderate or mild problems. Studies have linked the spread of online betting to increases in bankruptcy rates and mental health crises, including higher rates of suicide attempts among those with gambling addiction.
Concerns about sports integrity grow
Carroll’s legislation also responds to recent betting scandals in professional and collegiate sports, including incidents in the MLB, NBA, and NCAA involving proposition wagers. Lawmakers argue that such bets can compromise fair play and damage public trust in sports outcomes.
The bill draws inspiration from the federal Safe Bet Act introduced in Congress by Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Paul Tonko, which similarly seeks to limit high-risk gambling practices nationwide.
Next steps and effective date
The measure is a new introduction in the Assembly and would take effect immediately upon passage. Its supporters describe it as a necessary corrective to the unchecked growth of sports betting and a safeguard against its economic and emotional consequences.
Key Points
- Bill caps individual sports wagers at $5,000 per day and limits bettors to five deposits daily.
- Prohibits proposition bets, credit card payments, and most sports betting ads during prime hours.
- Aims to reduce gambling addiction and protect sports integrity following record betting growth.
