FCA will open two Gambling Support and Wellness Centers on Long Island
Family and Children’s Association (FCA), Long Island’s leading health and human services nonprofit organization, announced the opening of two FCA Gambling Support and Wellness Centers, one in Hempstead, the other in Hicksville. The services available in these centers will be made possible partially through a $200,000 donation made by Sands New York.
“From the state lottery expansion to casinos to online sports betting, which became legal in New York in 2021, gambling is here to stay. It’s imperative that we introduce new programs to identify and treat problem gambling especially as the need emerges,” said FCA President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds. “This is particularly important for college kids and people who already have a casino that blinks, beeps and beckons in their back pocket 24/7. We want to make the resources readily available to every Long Islander who needs or wants help.”
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, about 85% of U.S. adults have gambled at least once in their lives, with 60% having gambled within the past year. However, between 1% and 2% of the U.S. adult population, or 2 to 4 million adults, will experience a gambling disorder in their lifetime.
“We know that most people who gamble, do it as a form of entertainment. As a responsible community partner and industry-leading entertainment company we must identify and help solve for issues in our community,” said Ron Reese, Senior Vice President at Las Vegas Sands. “We are proud to partner with FCA to provide this valuable resource to Long Islanders.”
With the increase in online sports betting, gambling has reached newer, younger audiences, many unaware of the larger consequences of problem gambling. New York recently announced that it generated $862 million from mobile sports wagering in its second year of operation. When added to the $693 million and $200 million in licensing fees collected in 2022, that brings the total generated revenue to $1.75 billion.
The addition of 3 downstate gaming licenses to be awarded by New York State is expected to further increase state revenue from gambling. Sands New York is currently preparing a bid for one of the three available gaming licenses for its planned integrated resort and entertainment center at the Nassau Coliseum property in Uniondale, New York.
FCA, with its 140-year history of helping Long Islanders, has won state certification from the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) to provide problem gambling counseling and support to those who need or want help. FCA’s new Gambling Support and Wellness Centers will offer individual, group, and family counseling including financial counseling and planning to individuals and families experiencing problem gambling issues.
The announcement was made during a press conference at FCA headquarters in Garden City. Joining FCA President and CEO Jeffrey L. Reynolds, PhD at the podium were FCA Assistance VP Clinical Services Nicolle Vasselman; Pam Brenner-Davis, Regional Team Lead NY Council on Problem Gambling Resource Center; Ron Reese, Sr. Vice President Las Vegas Sands; Addis Carbonnell- O’Connell, Director of Compliance at Jacke’s 58 and Michael Bonakdar, the General Manager of Jake’s 58.