New York state Senator Joe Addabbo and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow are proposing a $25 million fund to support brick-and-mortar casino workers as part of legislation that would legalize online casinos. It is a carrot to make up for stiff opposition to iGaming from the New York Hotel & Gaming Trades Council, which has complained that online casinos would cannibalize land-based gaming revenues.
“That’s $25 million a year in an effort to show or to ensure there will be no cannibalization of brick-and-mortar casinos,” Addabbo said, according to PlayUSA. “This is to help the brick-and-mortars who suffered greatly in Covid. It’s not our intent to cause cannibalization or a loss of jobs. We only want to grow union jobs, and we will work to ensure it.”
The lawmakers have said opposition from the powerful union was the biggest roadblock to passage of iGaming legislation last year. Addabbo said the union has not yet come out in support of it.
“Right now, it’s a discussion with my legal counsel and communications director,” Addabbo told PlayUSA. “But it’s a direct result of thinking about what we can do to address their concerns and promote the notion that this is a job-growth industry in New York.”
Addabbo also said in the PlayUSA interview that an online casino will create more jobs with live-dealer positions.
“We will actually increase the amount of union jobs because those live dealers and studio workers have to be union jobs according to the statute language we have drafted,” Addabbo said. “Those union jobs can be anywhere in New York. That should hopefully please the Hotel Trades Council.”
Addabbo confirmed with the publication Sports Betting Dime that he will pre-file a new online gaming bill before the end of the year for the 2024 session.
“We know we need revenue in New York,” he said. “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.”
