New York Seeks to Increase Gambling Age for VLTs to 21

Sen. Joseph Addabbo has been a passionate advocate for the legalization of the gambling industry. Yet, he remains vigilant of the potential pitfalls that mass legalization could usher in and is therefore pushing to change the legal gambling age in New York to 21 for anyone gambling in the jurisdiction via Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs).

Protecting Consumers from VLTs Is the Right Thing to Do

Based on a new proposal, Senate Bill 2610, Sen. Addabbo wants to increase the gambling age for individuals who use the state’s 17,600 VLTs to 21. The senator is aware that these games, despite containing the word lottery in their description, are more akin to traditional slot games, which rely on chance more than anything else.

They may also be higher propensity games which means that they are likely to cause more harm, especially in younger and more vulnerable groups. This, however, should not be the case, argues the senator. VLTs are currently located across multiple venues, such as the Saratoga Casino Hotel, Resorts World Hudson Valley, and many other prominent establishments.

If the bill is passed successfully, it would obligate the properties to change tact as well and comply. At the same time, Sen. Addabbo does not deem it necessary to change the actual gambling age for the lottery which should still be 18. Players would have to be at least 21 to participate in Quick Draw, a keno-style game.

This proposal is aligned with the fact that commercial casinos in New York already expect goers to be at least 21 years of age, and what is changing is only going to affect VLTs and the properties that host these machines as well as the aforementioned Quick Draw.

Small Steps, Big Impact on Social Responsibility

Now, on the face of it, these properties may be loath to see the change enacted, but Sen. Addabbo, albeit having been unsuccessful in key pieces of legislation (iGaming being one) throughout the years, has built a solid track record in steering the debate and legislative framework surrounding the games.

He is also the chair of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering, and has the means to kickstart a legislative change in the first place. SB2610 will first be reviewed by the committee he chairs before it is sent to the Senate Rules Committee and possibly get a foor vote.