Online Gambling now illegal in NY?

[lumpy19]

Where the heck did this come from? I haven't heard anything about it

News Story

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The game is now over for New Yorkers who like to gamble online.

While it has been illegal to do so in the state for some time, many people found ways around in the past, by placing bets with sites through off-shore companies.

But as NEWS10's Dori Marlin reports, a new law in effect this week essentially takes the sites off-line in New York.

The new law went into effect this past Monday at 9pm, making New York one of just 13 states no longer allowing companies to process bets that are placed online. What that means now:

* While before, it was illegal to gamble online, but people still found a way to place bets...
* Now, in the state, the sites literally will not let you log in and gamble

"I'd play free rolls every day just to kill time," says online gambler, Steve Douglas.

Many, like 24-year-old Steve Douglas of Albany, are upset with the change.

"Not everybody has the opportunity to go to Turning Stone, or even start a home game whenever they feel like it," Douglas says.

But experts say that is part of why the state wants to stop the sites in the first place - they are simply too accessible.

"We certainly know that people are engaged in various forms of online gambling," says UAlbany Associate Professor, Dr. Matthew Martens.

Dr. Martens specializes in counseling psychology, and explains why it is a problem.

"It's gonna' lower the prevalence of people getting involved in this type of gambling, simply because it's gonna' be harder for people to access the sites," Dr. Martens says.

However, many of the sites are trying to find a way around the law once again, to get regulars like Steve back in their stable.


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