Two state lawmakers continue pushing for legislative gambling reform
The two lawmakers who proposed legislation to legalize online poker and casino gaming in New York say they will make another attempt in 2024, believing next year will be when the state becomes the seventh in the US with online poker and the eighth with legal online casinos. And that expanding online gaming will bring the state $1 billion in yearly revenue.
“We are working on legislation to authorize iGaming and iLottery in New York, and we are optimistic that this session, we can turn it into law,” wrote Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) and Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon) in a joint opinion piece published in local media outlet City & State on Tuesday.
Addabbo introduced A1380 earlier this year to legalize online poker, while Pretlow introduced S4856, which would legalize online casino gaming. However, neither bill would advance.
Online poker is currently available in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Connecticut and West Virginia have yet to launch online, but that will change soon in West Virginia after it joined the multi-state poker compact in November.
Addabbo and Pretlow added that legal casino gaming, online poker and online lottery sales would benefit consumers. The lawmakers also say that enormous budget deficits are upcoming, with federal aid from the pandemic set to expire soon, and that online poker and casino gaming could help cushion the impact.
“Now is the time for New York to invest in opportunities that will allow for big economic growth down the road, something we can hardly turn away from as the state faces an impending deficit,” they added.
Emma Rodriguez is the Proofreader at the Big Blind, with seven years of experience and five years in online gambling. She plays a crucial role in maintaining content quality by ensuring error-free, reader-friendly information about the gambling industry.
