New York iGaming Closer to Reality, Assert Lawmakers
In their ongoing pursuit, two legislators, champions of the cause to legalize casino gaming and online poker in New York, have expressed their determination to reintroduce the legislation in 2024.
Confidently anticipating that 2024 will mark a significant milestone, they envision New York joining the ranks as the seventh US state to embrace online poker and the eighth to embrace online casino gaming.
Furthermore, they project that the expansion of iGaming will contribute a substantial annual revenue of $1 billion to the state.
Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. and Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow expressed their commitment to enacting legislation for igaming and iLottery in New York, aiming for its approval in the current session.
Their proposed bill leverages the existing framework for mobile sports betting, offering a secure and regulated environment for consumers and anticipating an additional annual revenue of $1 billion for the state, complementing the income from mobile sports betting.
Chairing the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, Addabbo, along with Pretlow, who leads the Assembly Committee on Racing and Wagering, spearheaded efforts earlier this year for online poker and casino gaming legalization.
Despite the introduction of bills A1380 and S4856, respectively, neither gained traction.
In an exclusive late October interview with Poker Industry PRO, Addabbo disclosed plans for a new or modified bill, set for introduction in December. This legislation aims to legalize online poker, online casino gaming and iLottery.
While New York wouldn’t be a pioneer in legalizing these activities, Addabbo and Pretlow argue that data indicates a positive impact on tax revenue, citing six states, including neighboring ones, where such offerings resulted in increased revenue without adversely affecting brick-and-mortar establishments like casinos and lottery-ticket-selling convenience stores.
Citing Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for online casinos and Michigan, Illinois and New Hampshire for iLottery, legislators mention Delaware, Michigan and West Virginia as existing online casino states.
Rhode Island legalized it in 2022, set to launch in March 2024. Online poker is currently legal in six states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Notably, Connecticut and West Virginia lack active operators, with the latter expected to change post-joining a multi-state poker compact.
The lawmakers argue for the benefits of legalizing online poker, casino gaming and iLottery, emphasizing consumer protection and responsible gaming resources, a contrast to the unregulated market.
As substantial budget deficits loom, lawmakers stress the potential relief that online casino gaming could bring.
The end of federal pandemic aid leaves New York with a significant projected deficit, $4.3 billion for the next year and $8 billion for 2025, according to the state comptroller.
To address this financial challenge, Addabbo and Pretlow propose legalizing online casino gaming and iLottery, highlighting the opportunity to double the revenue generated from mobile sports betting, which could be a crucial initial step in navigating the fiscal hurdles ahead.
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