Bright lights, billions in investments, and thousands of new jobs — this is exactly how the authorities and businesses present the idea of opening new casinos in New York. Behind the façade of the promised economic boom lies a little-discussed threat: a rapid increase in the number of people suffering from gambling addiction, whose fates often end in tragedy. What price will the city pay for another wave of gambling, and who will be in the line of fire?
Social and Economic Risks
The emergence of new casinos almost guarantees a surge in cases of gambling addiction. According to experts from the National Council on Problem Gambling, about 4% of New York residents are already at risk of developing a pathological craving for gambling. That’s more than 300,000 people. Soon, their number may increase significantly.
Gambling addiction is recognized as a medical disorder. The addiction drives people to financial ruin, destroys families, leads to bankruptcies and crimes. Social consequences become especially noticeable when victims lose their homes and jobs, and sometimes find themselves on the verge of despair and even suicide.
A study by the American Psychiatric Association showed that up to 10% of people who became homeless in the US show signs of clinically significant gambling addiction. This confirms a direct link between the availability of gambling and the degradation of social institutions.
Typical manifestations of addiction include:
- a constant urge to win back losses,
- hiding the extent of losses from loved ones,
- regularly exceeding time and money limits,
- committing illegal or risky acts for the sake of gambling.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that gambling is now available without the need to leave home. If you look at search results, you can quickly find many major international brands with a good reputation: Megapari, Parimatch, and 1win. According to melbetcom.in, the online casino Melbet is also among the market leaders. And all this is thanks to thousands of gambling games available directly from phones or computers.
But while for most people such convenience is an advantage, for those with problem gambling behavior it can become an issue. With such accessibility, it becomes harder to resist the urge to play. Not to mention that the situation can be exacerbated by alcohol, which affects decision-making in gambling.
History and Legislative Context
As early as 1894, the first article of the New York State Constitution strictly prohibited lotteries, betting pools, and any gambling. However, over time, the laws gradually softened. In the 1930s, exceptions appeared for horse racing and bingo, in the 1960s — the state lottery was allowed. By the 2000s, casino legalization began, and in 2022, mobile betting was approved.
Today, the last barrier to legalization has effectively been removed. Authorities are considering issuing three new licenses for full-fledged casinos within the city. This event changes the situation for millions of people.
Acute questions arise because an industry that was previously limited is now becoming ubiquitous. Gambling halls are appearing near residential areas, schools, and public spaces.
New Casinos — Promises and Reality
The geography of new projects is impressive. Among the contenders are Midtown Manhattan near Times Square, the area around the UN headquarters, a site near Citi Field, and the Coney Island area. Investors promise to inject record sums into the city. For example, Caesars Palace in Times Square claims $5.4 billion in investments, the creation of 3,000 construction jobs and 3,800 permanent positions, the construction of a five-star hotel, and a rooftop park.
As noted by SL Green Realty representative Brett Hershenfeld, the project provides $20 million for kindergartens for Broadway artists, as well as monthly job fairs. Similar promises are made by other companies — from sports and media centers to $163 million in grants for non-profit organizations.
However, behind these attractive figures, shadows remain. Many residents and experts are concerned that the real price for vulnerable city dwellers will be much higher.
Real Risks
The promises of social programs, sports complexes, and charitable grants cannot protect people from the trap of addiction. It is critically important to provide for:
- constant and accessible psychological support on the casino premises,
- bright and clear warnings about the dangers of gambling addiction,
- educational initiatives for visitors.
Few people know that up to 80% of casino profits come from slot machines. They are simple, flashy, and designed so that players lose track of time and money — it is with them that the most severe cases of addiction are associated. Investments in infrastructure and social facilities do not solve the underlying problem: human weakness in the face of an organized system of gambling.
Comparison of Interests — Business or Society?
Around the licenses, there is competition not only among companies but also ideologies. Some see a chance for an economic breakthrough and new jobs. Others point to the risk of massive social losses — broken families, crime, increased homelessness. Will it be possible to combine the economic interests of business with the safety and health of society? Are residents ready to pay such a price for the promised prosperity?
Investors assure their readiness to take responsibility for the consequences, but the experience of other regions shows that these measures are rarely sufficient. Pressure on public opinion is growing, while the positions of social addiction experts often remain in the shadows.
Proposals to Strengthen Social Responsibility
Experts recommend tightening requirements for new casinos:
- mandatory transparency of information about risks for players,
- targeted investments in the prevention and treatment of addiction,
- regular public monitoring with the participation of independent organizations and specialists.
Such measures must be seriously integrated into business projects. Analysis of global experience shows: only a systematic approach reduces harm to society, although ideal solutions do not yet exist. Some issues continue to spark debate even among specialists.
The emergence of new casinos is a reason for a broad discussion about acceptable risks, citizens’ rights, and investors’ obligations. Can billions of dollars compensate for invisible tragedies? The city faces a choice: to succumb to the temptation of profit or to strengthen public control over the gambling industry?