Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gaming, Racing and Wagering hosted and participated in events commemorating September as both Responsible Gaming Awareness Month and National Recovery Month.

Senator Addabbo kicked things off with special responsible gaming awareness presentations at Maspeth High School on September 22, 2025, taking over two classes of 25 students each. The guest speakers were Robin Singh, Team Leader of the Queens Problem Gambling Resource Center at the New York Council on Problem Gambling and Ike Dweck, a recovering gambling addict and the Founder & CEO of the Safe Foundation.

“Responsible gaming is about understanding the real risks, the potential consequences, and where to find help if you need it,” Addabbo said. “By learning now, you’ll be able to make informed choices, set smart limits, and build healthy habits that will serve you long after your time at school.”

Singh began his portion of the presentation by explaining the definition of gambling. It involves risking something of value on a chance-based activity with the goal of achieving a desired payout. Problem gambling can lead to serious negative consequences, such as lying or stealing to settle debts or losing money that was intended for necessities like bills or rent.

Singh also explained the “gambling spectrum,” which ranges from no gambling to social gambling, then to problem gambling, and ultimately to gambling disorder. The distinction between social and problem gambling can become unclear in aspects like motivations for gambling, expectations, how time and money are handled, reactions to losses, and the level of honesty about the behavior.

He added that gambling is one of the addictions that has the highest suicide rates. 

“The only way to avoid losing is not to play,” Singh advised.

Dweck, a recovering gambling addict, spoke about how he started gambling as a 10-year-old pitching quarters between classes at school and spiraled downward by betting on sporting events, horse racing and at casinos, losing hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of more than a decade before hitting rock bottom and quitting on November 3, 1987, but not before owing large amounts of money to the mafia and trying to commit suicide by driving off the Verrazano Bridge. 

“I lost my reputation. I lost all my money,” Dweck said. “It took me 10 years to pay people back, and I wanted to make sure that I paid everybody back. My reputation was in the garbage because I lied, manipulated, stole, and cheated people just to get money. I spent 10 years thinking about what I had done to others.”

He noted that he still attends Gamblers Anonymous meetings today, even though he hasn’t placed a bet since November 3, 1987. After quitting gambling, he eventually found success by owning and operating several sneaker stores, and later founded The Safe Foundation in 2003, which has assisted 11,000 individuals with issues related to drugs, alcohol, and gambling.

 “The only way to make money is to work hard,” Dweck said. “When you try to take shortcuts, that’s when all hell breaks loose.”

Senator Addabbo expressed gratitude to the NYCPG, Safe Foundation, and Maspeth High School for collaborating to educate young people about problem gaming.

To view video from the gaming presentation at Maspeth High School, go to the link below at Senator Addabbo’s YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/8VJKY_4-k_k?si=s15Q27z74UBJ6YVX

Later that day, in commemoration of National Recovery Month, a time to highlight the strides made by those in recovery from substance use disorder, mental health issues, and gambling harm, Senator Addabbo participated in a virtual discussion hosted by the NYCPG. The purpose was to share updates on what is happening in the field of problem gambling and to educate the public about the variety of resources available to aid New York State residents in their recovery from gambling harms. 

The next day, September 23, 2025, Senator Addabbo was a panelist at the 80th United Nations General Better Gambling Forum. The Science Summit established this worldwide initiative to safeguard all players. Soon it will begin operation of the “Responsible Gambling Practice and Policy Pillars” (RG3P) program. The RG3P framework aims to function as a universal standard which protects people and prevents gambling harm throughout different nations. The system uses evidence from public health and brain health research and has four essential components: educating players; helping people make informed choices; identifying dangerous gambling patterns at an early stage; timely assistance and making intervention services available to users. 

"Today we are taking a significant step toward safeguarding every individual who might be impacted by gambling,” Addabbo said. “The RG3P framework signifies more than just a policy—it embodies commitment to public health, informed choices, and timely interventions. By standardizing best practices across countries, we enable communities to educate players, identify risky behaviors early, and offer accessible support services when they are most needed. This is how we protect freedom and well-being together, both now and for future generations.”

Addabbo noted that New York State has spent $6 million on problem gambling programs, and a sweeps ban is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Looking to the future, AI will monitor data from iGaming and iLottery. Addabbo has introduced legislation which includes a bill to amend the insurance law, in relation to requiring insurance coverage of outpatient problem gambling services (S.8352), a bill which prohibits individuals under the age of twenty-one from gambling (S.2610) and legislation that authorizes forfeiture of winnings in violation of self-exclusion only for prohibited commercial casino gambling (S.8238).

For help with problem gaming, contact the New York Council on Problem Gambling hotline at 917-994-8377 or the NYS HOPELINE at 877-846-7369 or the Safe Foundation at 718-GET-SAFE.