NY Senate Leader Has Positive Post-Election Outlook For Online Sports Betting

Posted on: November 3, 2020, 02:47h. 

Last updated on: November 4, 2020, 09:48h.

Ed Silverstein Read More

Expertise: Crime, Legal, Tribal Gaming.

New York state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens) is upbeat about his proposal for statewide online sports betting. But the proposal needs support by the end of the year, he says.

Addabbo says his fellow senators and assembly members now have more interest in the Senate Bill 17D because it can generate revenue to fund worthy state programs. Addabbo is the chairman of the Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee.

The bill failed to get adequate support in the prior legislative session. Sports betting is permitted only at upstate commercial casinos and tribal gaming properties.

Given legal, out-of-state sports betting options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, New York state is missing out on $1B a year, Addabbo said.

“We can’t decline revenue,” Addabbo said. “We don’t have the luxury.”

Sports Betting to Pay for Education, Healthcare

Addabbo says the additional revenue would ward off “deep cuts” to such expenses as healthcare and education.

Resorts World Casino New York City, located in Queens, employs over 1,000 workers. Resorts World New York City also generated over $3 billion in state educational funding, Addabbo noted as an example.

Addabbo also wants to see the three unassigned New York downstate gaming licenses issued sooner than 2023 when they are scheduled to be assigned.

Even though Addabbo sees online sports betting adoption as important, it was not an issue for the voters he met during the 2020 campaign. The key constituent concerns were COVID-19, employment, and unemployment, he said.

Previously, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) opposed statewide mobile sports betting, calling it unconstitutional.

Massachusetts May Address Sports Gambling Post-Election

In Massachusetts, there were no ballot questions about casinos this election.

“The only issue [for Massachusetts voters] is whether or not their legislator would approve sports
gambling and in what form,” said the Rev. Richard McGowan, a finance professor at Boston College, who closely follows gambling trends, to Casino.org.

The issue of sports gambing has fairly well been decided [in much of New England]. The only real controversy is whether or not to allow online sports gambling,” McGowan added.

As far as the proposed First Light Resort & Casino in Taunton, Mass., and federal action to protect the troubled, tribal property, McGowan said, “This really depends upon who is elected President.

“If President Trump wins, the proposed Native American casino in Taunton would be challenged. If Mr. Biden wins, this casino should have no trouble being approved.”