The Sports Betting Alliance, a proponent for responsible expansion of legalized gaming, is officially supporting the legalization of iGaming in New York and has launched an ad campaign throughout the Empire State.
The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) has launched a digital ad campaign urging lawmakers to consider supporting iGaming legislation, a potential new source of revenue to help address New York’s estimated $21.5 billion budget deficit over the next three years.
Additionally, the SBA released the results of a recent poll showing New Yorkers are agreeable to the legalization of iGaming.
iGaming Bills Coming to the State
Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., one of the leading legislators to help usher in legalized New York online sports betting in 2021, has publicly announced he will be pursuing an iGaming bill in the state this year.
Addabbo Jr. introduced a bill last week, though he took the bill off the table and noted he would replace it soon with a new piece of legislation.
Addabbo attempted to push an iGaming bill through the New York legislation last year, though it never gained much traction. The bill, S4856, attempted to legalize online casino gaming, including slots, table games, and live dealer games. The bill included a 30.5% iGaming tax rate. Most states average between 15% to 18% for their iGaming tax rates.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) did not include iGaming revenue in her budget last year and the bill died shortly thereafter.
The SBA is hoping iGaming legislation will be more supported this year and is making an investment in its future. The alliance, which represents the interests of FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, and BetMGM, released a new 30-second advertisement across digital platforms supporting iGaming legalization.
“In the face of New York’s budget deficit, the expansion of mobile gaming is not merely an option; it can be a key generator that can infuse our state with much-needed revenue. We’ve seen the now-billions of dollars that have been brought into New York through mobile-sports betting and we believe fully that this next step can be just as successful. This expansion is not just an economic opportunity; it’s a progressive stride towards bolstering public services, promoting fiscal health, and safeguarding the well-being of New Yorkers in the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment and commerce,” said Jeremy Kudon, President of Sports Betting Alliance, in a press release.
New Revenue Streams Needed in New York
The SBA also announced the results of a recent poll it conducted from Oct. 4 to 10, 2023, by The Parkside Group among 800 registered New York voters. According to the poll results, the SBA noted that more than 60% of New Yorkers believe the state should look to options such as mobile gaming and online lottery to close the deficit before raising new taxes on families or businesses.
The Parkside Group has provided electoral, corporate, and advocacy clients with quantitative research and advertising services for more than 20 years.
Among the poll respondents, a majority of every single demographic and political sub-group said New York should expand gaming before raising taxes, with strong support coming from voters not enrolled in a party, Democrats, and college-educated voters.
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