Toxicity Alert: NY Gaming Commission Employees Reveal Abusive Work Culture

The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) is facing a wave of complaints from its own employees, who accuse it of creating a hostile and abusive work culture.

The employees allege that they have experienced sexual harassment, racism, bullying, and favoritism at the commission, and that their concerns have been ignored or dismissed.

One long-time commission employee said that he saw posters with swastikas and Ku Klux Klan symbols hanging in the office for weeks in 2019. Another employee, Larry Maylock, who worked as an auditor in the lottery division for 30 years, called the commission “the most toxic organization in the state.”

An anonymous letter sent to the governor’s office last year claimed that “the morale is so poor at the Gaming Commission, and staff turnover is overwhelming. It is difficult for the agency to find staff because it is known across agencies how difficult it is at the Gaming Commission.”

The commission’s troubles are not only internal, but also legal. The agency has been sued 4 times by its current or former employees over the issues mentioned above. In addition, the commission has settled 3 more lawsuits in the past 2 years, paying $75,000 each to two former employees (without admitting fault), and an undisclosed amount to another employee who alleged age discrimination, racism, and sexual harassment.

The state Office of Employee Relations, which handles workplace discrimination complaints, has received 41 complaints about the gaming commission since 2018. 

Of these, 10 have been substantiated, resulting in administrative actions against the commission.

The commission’s representatives have denied the allegations, saying that many employees have worked there for decades without any problems, and some have even come back after leaving.