Senator Joseph Addabbo tweaks his bill to make it more appealing to other legislators
Since New York launched online sports betting over two years ago, various obstacles have been overcome, underlining the market’s success and its extraordinary prospects. While online sports betting has been a big hit with state residents, legislators continue to pursue more online gambling options.
Senator Joseph Addabbo is leading the effort after introducing Senate Bill 8185 (S8185), a new iGaming and iLottery bill, in early January that would authorize online casino gambling and lotteries across New York.
After being referred to the New York Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee on January 11, S8185 was amended earlier this week and resubmitted to the Committee. The latest version includes Article 15, explaining the proposed iGaming sector in detail. The amendment underscores that online gambling activities are currently legal in seven other states and seeks to establish a strong and competitive market.
The proposal also invites tribal operators to apply for the available iGaming licenses. However, this will be subject to them waiving the “exclusive geographic right to offer and conduct interactive gaming” in tribal territory. Tribal operators can still offer iGaming on tribal lands, and users can access other licensed operators.
The bill also requires online gambling operators to enter into “a labor peace agreement with labor organizations that are actively engaged in representing or attempting to represent gaming or hospitality industry workers in the state as a major component of its application for an interactive gaming license.” This is expected to guarantee that online gaming operators must employ union workers.
Operators would also be required to pay a 31.5% tax on gross gaming revenue, which would benefit the New York lottery fund for education aid. About $11 million annually would be committed to the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports for problem gambling treatment and education.
