Resorts World Casino New York City, the racino at Aqueduct racetrack, lie within the district of Senator Joe Addabbo. But redistricting left the track outside his boundaries. No matter. Addabbo sees It as a priority to secure one of the three downstate casino licenses expected to be doled out this year to the benefit of education funding.
Most people with knowledge of the legal gambling landscape in New York see Resorts World and the Empire City casino in Yonkers should both obtain licenses because they are so far ahead of the game than anyone else.
Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow told NY Gambling Online that MGM, which owns the Yonkers casino, also has promised to build either a hotel or convention center If selected.
Addabbo considers the race for the third license “wide open,” with Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo pushing for a new casino in the Hunts Point neighborhood of her district in the South Bronx. Manhattan has also received some positive vibes.
The licenses will be awarded by the state gaming commission, with guidance by a community advisory committee.
“I think we’ll be interested to see who comes out with a viable, credible proposal that is beneficial to the state and the area which they’re proposing both in the short term and long term,” Addabbo said. “I don’t think we should look at this in any kind of vacuum. We need to look at the long-term impact, both positive and negative.”
licenses aside, Addabbo wants to increase the number of mobile sports betting operators in New York and to offer more betting options Including NASCAR and fixed-odds horse racing.
Addabbo introduced the bill for iGaming. But it didn’t advance beyond the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, which he chairs. With the legislature ending their session for this year on June 2, the bill will have to wait for next year.
“Currently, seven states have authorized online interactive casino gaming, including the neighboring States of New Jersey, Connecticut. and Pennsylvania,” the bill reads. “In 2021, online casino gaming revenue exceeded $1 billion in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, generating approximately $120 million in tax revenue for each of those states.”
The bill also reminds legislators how successful online sports betting proved out of the chute, how it generated $70 million in tax revenue in a single month. The same thing would happen with online gaming, according to Card Player.
One estimate found the state would reap $475 million annually in taxes and another $150 million in licensing fees.
Addabbo will try again in 2023.