Sen. Joseph Addabbo has once again introduced his bill in the New York Senate to legalize and regulate online casinos in the Empire State. It would also legalize online lottery sales and games.
The language is virtually identical to last year’s effort. The four downstate casinos, the forthcoming upstate casinos, tribal casinos, VLT parlors and online sports betting operators would all be eligible to obtain an online casino license. There would also be three licenses up for grabs via a competitive bidding process.
The bill earmarks $25 million a year for casino employee training and development and also requires servers for operators to be housed within state casinos. It also includes a three-year time out period for any unregulated entities offering games or contests in the state, which seems to be aimed squarely at offshore operators as well as sweepstakes gaming sites.
Addabbo eager to address sweepstakes casinos during 2025 session.
In a recent press release, Addabbo said sweepstakes are top of mind for him this legislative session and he intends to try and address the issue.
“To close this loophole, I will work to ban or incorporate Sweepstakes Casinos in the state, akin to current laws in Michigan, Idaho, and Washington, and I will push for iGaming as a safe, effective alternative for online casino enthusiasts. By addressing the Sweepstakes Casinos issue and allowing a regulated iGaming casino option, we are demonstrating our commitment to protecting New Yorkers, dealing with gaming addiction, while adding tax revenue beneficial to all state residents,” Addabbo explained.
“Without an option for safe, regulated online gaming, many individuals will fall victim to sweepstakes casinos that entice customers through free play advertising with the potential for prizes through the purchase of gold coins. I encourage my colleagues and the Governor to take action against unregulated sweepstakes casinos, while reconsidering the benefits of allowing legal iGaming operators to provide sanctioned services in a popular and ever-growing industry.”
Last year’s online casino effort picked up little to no traction and a survey of New Yorkers indicated less than half the population supported iGaming expansion.
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