Written by :
Published on :
New York Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D) says he could get the votes to allow for real money online casino gambling but the governor will not sign off on it this year
New York Senate Bill S2614 is “An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to interactive gaming; and to amend the tax law, in relation to interactive lottery gaming.”
New York regulates sports betting but requires operators to pay a 51% tax rate
With the legislative session this year due to conclude June 4, New York Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D), who chairs the Empire State’s Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, has opted not to move forward with legislation that would allow for real money online casinos and poker sites to operate in the state. The senator said it makes little sense to move the bill forward without the backing of Gov. Kathy Hochul (D).
“We could pass it in the Senate, we could pass it in the Assembly, and then the governor would probably not sign it,” Addabbo told Gambling.com. “So, I’m not going to waste anyone’s time here.”
Hochul has been non-committal so far on the issue. But she has taken a tough line on gambling protections.
The Empire State did ban sweepstakes casinos last year. Real money online casinos and poker sites, licensed mostly offshore, still allow New York residents to gamble using their credit cards, Bitcoin or even Google Pay in Apple Pay in some cases.
Addabbo Jr.’s bill is New York Senate Bill S2614, titled:
“An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to interactive gaming; and to amend the tax law, in relation to interactive lottery gaming.”
The legislation would legalize:
- online casino gaming,
- online poker,
- live dealer games,
- and internet lottery gaming in New York.
The Empire State also licenses and regulates sports betting but operators must pay 51% tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR) for online/mobile betting, or more than half their revenues to the state.
Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
