The Invisible Addiction

“This addiction doesn’t care about your race, age, or immigration status. It can happen to anyone. But many people think it isn’t that serious or that it doesn’t affect them,” says Leilani Yizar-Reid, who has led the center since 2019. With previous experience in substance use prevention in New York, she joined the New York State Council on Problem Gambling to connect people at risk with specialized support.

The center is part of a statewide network with seven offices in New York and serves Sullivan, Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Rockland, Westchester, and Putnam counties. “Our work is to make access to care easier for those struggling with gambling addiction—whether it’s lottery, sports betting, or bingo. Any type of gambling can become an addiction,” adds Yizar-Reid. Their efforts focus on education, prevention, and community outreach, with a strong emphasis on vulnerable communities such as the Hispanic population. “We offer workshops, presentations, and training to any organization or community that requests it,” she explains.

One of the main challenges the center still faces is the lack of recognition of gambling as an addiction. “People talk about alcohol and drugs, but rarely about gambling. It’s a silent addiction. It affects both the gambler and their loved ones,” says Leilani. This lack of awareness, combined with language barriers, makes accessing services harder, especially for Hispanic communities. “We have Spanish-speaking staff, but one thing we could improve in our region is connecting more with Hispanic organizations willing to help translate what we do,” she explains.

The impact of problem gambling can be devastating. When household income is spent on gambling, the entire family suffers the consequences. Still, treatment requires the individual to acknowledge the problem and want help. “We can’t force anyone. But we can guide them, provide assessments, and, if they’re ready, connect them with therapists, support groups, or peers in recovery. And if the person affected doesn’t seek help, we also support their families.” Unfortunately, few affected individuals seek professional help, and research on gambling disorder recovery rates is limited. However, the recovery organization Gamblers Anonymous reports that between 50% and 70% of its participants achieve sustained recovery.

According to statistics from the New York State Council on Problem Gambling, the number of people accessing treatment services increased by 11.5% statewide between 2022 and 2023, including a 6% increase in outpatient services. Calls to help lines such as the state HOPEline and the Regional Problem Gambling Centers also rose by 7% in the same period, indicating growing recognition of the seriousness of the problem.

Access to services is quick and flexible. “We want someone who calls to get care, even on weekends. If it’s not directly with us, we connect them with the state helpline,” Yizar-Reid explains. Many services are free, such as support groups or conversations with peers in recovery. Others can be covered by health insurance or state programs. “We know that if there’s a gambling problem, there are financial difficulties. That’s why we strive to ensure that care isn’t a burden.”

One of the center’s strategies is collaborating with local organizations that work with diverse populations. Leilani shared that after visiting a program for Hispanic seniors, many adults said gambling addiction was present in their families but didn’t know there was a center offering support. “That’s why these conversations open doors. It’s not the same to read a brochure as it is to speak with someone who understands your reality,” Yizar-Reid reflects. She also mentioned how adults shared stories of their families showing other ways of gambling in the Hispanic community, such as in domino games.

Programs like Building Bridges, implemented in New York City, have successfully reached Hispanic communities directly on the streets—something that is expected to be replicated in other regions of the state.

In a recent article in The River Journal, a Westchester County publication, Tina Evans wrote about the long history of gambling in the Hudson Valley—from the “vice district” on Columbia Street in Hudson at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century to the rise of new casinos such as Resorts World in Newburgh. These casinos generate jobs and promises of economic development, especially for immigrant families who find in casinos a stable source of income. But the same industry also creates conditions for addiction, particularly among vulnerable populations. The contrast between those who make a living from gambling and those destroyed by it can be seen both in the Hudson Valley and New York City. How can economic growth be reconciled with the mental and financial health of our communities?

All of this is further complicated by how easy it is to gamble today. Unlike in the past, when gambling was a localized social event, constant and immediate access to online betting has intensified addiction risks. This is what Leilani refers to when she says that one of the biggest challenges is making visible an addiction that is rarely named—one that can affect young people betting on sports as well as older adults drawn to lotteries and bingo.

A 2021 report on gambling prevalence in New York, presented by the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, revealed that 4.4% of New Yorkers (about 874,000 people) are “at-risk gamblers,” and another 0.7% (about 140,000 people) are classified as “problem” or “pathological gamblers.” Populations at highest risk include people aged 18–24, individuals with substance use disorders, non-Hispanic Black men, people earning less than $30,000, and those with a high school diploma or less. Other high-risk populations include veterans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, older adults, and BIPOC communities. Ultimately, hundreds of thousands of people are affected. Furthermore, the highest rates of problem gambling are found not only in New York City but also in the Mid-Hudson region.

Initiatives such as direct connections with therapists, bilingual helplines, and free support programs have been well received in the region, with dozens of families accessing guidance and showing interest in fighting this addiction. As the state plans new casino licenses for 2025, the work of these centers is becoming increasingly urgent and vital.

Leilani Yizar-Reid concludes with a hopeful message: “This addiction is serious, but there is help. And don’t feel alone because there are people in this world who are here and willing to help and support you. So please reach out—don’t fight alone.”

RESOURCES
https://nyproblemgamblinghelp.org/mid-hudson/
https://addictionhelp.com/gambling/recovery/