When March arrives each year, the brackets soon follow. 

Friendly wagers on college basketball are as old as the March Madness tournament itself. But even casual gambling doesn’t come without risks. 

We have to recognize problem gambling

March means it’s also time to refresh on how to recognize the signs of problem gambling, which too often remain hidden. The state’s annual recognition of this month as Problem Gambling Awareness Month is important for reinforcing a commitment to expanding public education and highlighting resources to address this fast-evolving issue. Even still, our industry must take steps to drive awareness among the public of problem gambling and help New Yorkers identify the signs of addiction among their friends and family — and even themselves — before they spiral. 

This awareness is more vital now than ever, as gaming options are surging statewide. New York bettors wagered $26.3 billion through online sports betting alone last year, representing a nearly 16% increase over the year before — and a staggering 62% increase since the market's first full year in 2022. 

Put another way, New Yorkers are now betting an average of $72 million every single day, a pace of play that makes the need for robust safeguards like problem gambling education more urgent than ever. 

In-person facilities like del Lago Resort & Casino are well-suited to identify and support players who show signs of gambling addiction through our in-person interactions and personal relationships with patrons. Our focus is on proactive intervention, looking for signs that a guest might be struggling. When something doesn't feel right, we can step in, strike up a casual, low-pressure conversation to check in, and offer immediate help or resources if needed. 

Training our staff to identify these red flags — such as verbal frustration, attempts to chase losses, or extended play sessions that suggest a loss of control — gives us an important window into signs of problem gaming that might otherwise go undetected when players gamble alone, through mobile sports betting platforms and high-risk prediction market platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi that are not regulated by the state Gaming Commission. 

Collaborative community partnerships are equally vital to addressing problem gambling and ensuring our neighborhoods have access to these same tools. The state’s Responsible Play Partnership focuses on training, counseling techniques, and data-driven measures to promote safe gambling and support recovery. During Problem Gambling Awareness Month, we boost the visibility of these efforts and work with local community health and social services providers to ensure specialized care remains accessible to everyone. 

Hochul and Albany are stepping up

Away from the casino floor, as gambling options proliferate, Albany also is stepping up with renewed urgency. Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed a welcome series of measures that would strengthen prevention and treatment while using data to address long-term trends. Meanwhile, lawmakers have introduced a range of their own proposed protections to curb predatory marketing, enforce stricter age-based guardrails, and expand resources for New Yorkers struggling with addiction. 

Ultimately, it represents tremendous progress that the conversation at both the local and state levels is focused on strengthening the safety net that, when paired with a culture of responsibility, ensures the game stays safe for everyone. 

As we celebrate the madness of the tournament, we must remember that the most successful season is the one in which every New Yorker plays within their means. The significant local and state economic boost that comes with gaming offered here in the Finger Lakes and elsewhere in communities across the state is only a win if we ensure our neighbors are playing responsibly. 

Lance Young is the general manager for del Lago Resort & Casino in Tyre.

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