Capturing outbound gamblers
The New York State Senate has proposed that the state authorize video lottery terminals at any departure terminals in cities with 1 million or more people. That means just two: JFK International Airport and La Guardia.
The Senate proposal would make video slots available to visitors through their iPads; there would be no actual machines in the airport. The planned VLTs would be located at departure terminals to attract gamblers leaving the country, the Associated Press reported. The nonbinding budget resolution contains a provision that would block gamblers coming to the airport just to play.
The resolution, if approved, would provide the state about $40 million a year, a Senate spokesman told Newsday. But the plan is not likely to pass muster with the full legislature and with Governor Andrew Cuomo. In fact, a Cuomo spokesman has already called the proposal “a non-starter.”
According to Newsday, Cuomo might face some backlash if he supports airport VLTs after pushing a gaming expansion plan last year. Cuomo was an enthusiastic pitchman for a plan to build seven Vegas-style casinos in the Empire State. His plan was approved by voters in a November referendum.
