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A staggering figure indeed: As Gambling911.com reported the other day, New York State has received a substantial amount of money from gambling interests over the years.
How much in total?
From the New York Times:
Since 2005, gambling and horse racing interests have spent more than $59 million on lobbying and political contributions in New York, according to an analysis of disclosure filings by Common Cause New York, a government watchdog group.
New York State is looking to expand its gambling sector by adding up to seven new casinos.
From the Times:
There appears to be no end in sight for the industry’s spending in New York. Mr. Cuomo and lawmakers have agreed that, if the casino referendum passes, they will at first allow only four new casinos, all upstate, in three regions: the Catskills, the Southern Tier and the Albany area. New York already has five Indian-run casinos, all upstate, and electronic gambling at nine racetracks.
The industry would most likely seek to spend money to influence the regulatory process that would determine where exactly the new casinos are, and who operates them, as well as to persuade a future governor and Legislature to ultimately allow full-fledged casinos in New York City or the surrounding areas, which would be much more lucrative because of its tourism and population density.
“Albany is extra skilled in creating opportunities for the gambling industry to throw money at it,” said Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York. “We’re talking buckets of money, consistently, over time, and very willing recipients.”
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
