Gaming could be one of the fastest-growing employment opportunities in the state of New York, according to new research compiled by Yahoo Finance.
Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and a recent report from Projects Managing Partnership, the financial news website estimates that through 2026 sports betting will generate the state’s highest rate of gaming job growth at 39.7 percent. Casino croupier positions will grow by 31.5 percent over that time. Cashier openings will grow by 34 percent. Supervisory positions will grow by 16.9 percent.
The rates are the highest in the nation for a state with an existing casino presence. But that’s not surprising given a history of enthusiasm for gaming expansion on the part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature. And it’s expected to grow further when sports betting is added to the mix at some point this year, although this likely will be limited in the near term to in-person wagering at the state’s commercial and tribal casinos while lawmakers try to unravel the constitutional snags preventing the legalization of remote betting by laptop and mobile phone.
Whether it should be legalized is a different question, one that finds New Yorkers themselves divided, according to a new poll conducted by Siena College
The phone survey of 778 registered voters found 44 percent in support of online betting, 44 percent opposed and 12 percent undecided.
Broken down by region, upstate voters were more likely to oppose the idea𑁋46 percent to 42 percent in favor𑁋while those in New York City and its suburbs were more amenable to it𑁋split evenly at 44 percent in New York City, 48 percent in favor in the suburbs, with 41 percent opposed.
Men were far more likely to support online sports betting (53 percent for vs. 35 percent against). Women were largely opposed (51 percent to 37 percent).
Opposition crossed over into households with incomes less than $50,000 a year, which were opposed 50 percent to 36 percent, while those with incomes above $100,000 favored the idea by a similar margin, 54 percent for to 38 percent against.
