The new year is not too far off, which means a new push for gambling legislation is on the horizon.
For online casino legislation, 2023 was a relatively quiet year, with only Rhode Island choosing to regulate it in a very limited capacity.
That is not deterring New York State Sen. Joseph Addabbo. A frequent champion of gambling legislation, Addabbo confirmed with Sports Betting Dime he will be once again pushing for online casino expansion in the state. In addition, the bill would also allow for online lottery sales in the state.
As he tells the publication, Addabbo plans to pre-file the bill before the end of the year. However, as he explained, it is really Gov. Kathy Hochul who will make or break the bill’s chances.
“We know we need revenue in New York. Here we are, we’re on the cusp of an iGaming and iLottery bill, and all I need is the Governor in her budget to merely say seven words or so. ‘We’ll look and explore the possibilities of iGaming and iLottery.’ No other details,” he said.
Earlier this year, operators were also in Albany to potentially persuade lawmakers to revisit the 51% tax rate on sports betting. During that hearing, operators made the push for online casino legislation as well but the bill never gained traction.
Last year, sports betting generated nearly $700 million in tax revenue for the state. While Addabbo expects to propose a less onerous tax rate than sports betting, at 30.5%, Addabbo thinks it would bring it an additional $1 billion in revenue for state coffers if passed.
