Online Gaming Bill Could Be Revived In New YorkState Faces Major Funding Issues |
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Could online gaming, including poker, be back on the agenda in New York? The issue was shelved in this year’s legislative session, but may be revived in a possible special session.
The state is facing is multi-year, multi-billion-dollar state budget deficits in the coming years and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is also now considering a special session to address major budget shortages at the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). Some reports indicate that online gaming might be in the plans to help alleviate those funding issues.
A Budgetary Lifeline?
Joseph Addabbo (D) has introduced online gaming bills over the last two years, but the issue has failed to gain much traction. In May, Addabbo introduced a more scaled-down version of the legislation that only included online poker.
“Not only this will help New York regulate an industry that is presently operating without oversight in New York State, but also generate additional revenue from taxes and licenses fees associated with a licensed online poker system in New York State,” said Addabbo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering.
Addabbo was a major backer of efforts to legalize online sports betting in the state as well. Casino unions have expressed opposition to online gaming in the state.
“We find it appalling that you are pushing legislation that would hurt workers like us and our industry in order to benefit a handful of companies who are seeking massive profits at our expense,” the New York Hotel and Gaming Trades Council union recently noted in a February statement.
However, in a state where residents have grown tired of increasing taxes, legislators may possibly make an end run around unions. If the issue is revived, it’s also not known if a bill would be expanded once again to include online gaming beyond poker. Simply legalizing online poker seems unlikely to alleviate major MTA funding concerns.
Voters Oppose Tax Increases
The Sports Betting Alliance announced the results of a survey of New Yorkers in January about their views on online gaming, online lottery sales, and the state’s expected 2024 budget deficit. A majority favored legalizing online gaming to other options for raising revenue.
“By an 11-point margin (51%-40%), voters support approving iGaming in New York that will allow adults to place wagers online,” the survey notes.
Additionally, raising taxes proved highly unpopular, according to the survey, with 85% against raising income taxes to solve the deficit issues. Opposition was high across members of all political parties and in all regions of the state, including New York City where 81% disapprove of raising taxes. Another 61% also oppose raising taxes on businesses as well.
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