Governor Kathy Hochul of New York is advocating for enhanced regulations in the United States’ largest online sports betting sector. This initiative aims to implement biometric age verification and place constraints on promotions driven by artificial intelligence, with the goal of reducing underage gambling and minimizing addiction risks.

In her forthcoming State of the State address, Hochul will instruct the New York State Gaming Commission to investigate technologies like facial recognition and fingerprint scanners to ensure that individuals under 21 cannot create or use sportsbook accounts, including those of family or friends.

“From the outset, my chief concern has been the protection of children and vulnerable populations in an evolving digital landscape, particularly regarding the dangers linked to online gambling,” Hochul stated in a communication to ESPN.

“By utilizing tools such as biometric age verification, reinforcing prevention and treatment methodologies, and applying the same scrutiny to online betting as we do to social media and AI, we will enhance our efforts to safeguard New Yorkers from exploitative and addictive technologies,” she explained.

Recent reports from the gaming commission indicate a rise in underage individuals accessing sports betting, frequently with the help of parents, relatives, or friends. Those found guilty of facilitating such access could face bans from sportsbook platforms, according to the commission.

Hochul is also aiming to regulate how sports betting operators utilize AI for personalized promotions and betting offers that may encourage gamblers to exceed their intended limits.

In addition to prevention efforts, the governor is advocating for expanded treatment options for gambling addiction. This includes ensuring insurance coverage, establishing a Gambling Health Institute, and commissioning a decade-long statewide study to monitor gambling-related health trends and evaluate prevention measures.

The proposals, which Hochul will present to the state legislature, will apply to licensed online sports betting operators. Concurrently, New York has issued cease-and-desist orders to prediction market firms engaging in trading on sports outcomes.

The Sports Betting Alliance, an industry group, has expressed readiness to collaborate with regulators on advanced age and identity verification technologies and assist in combating illegal operators.

“We look forward to further partnerships with Governor Hochul and other leaders to identify and eradicate offshore and illegal entities that disregard age restrictions and actively target susceptible individuals both in New York and nationwide,” stated Joe Maloney, president of SBA.

Legal online sports betting was launched in New York in January 2022, quickly establishing itself as the leading market in the U.S. in terms of wagers placed. Approximately $26.3 billion was wagered with New York sportsbooks in 2025, as per the state gaming commission.