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State of Play’s TL;DR
- New York’s gubernatorial race is putting online casino legalization and prediction markets in the same political spotlight.
- However, neither candidate has committed to signing an online casino bill.
New York’s 2026 governor’s race is emerging as a meaningful gambling-policy storyline.
The election could influence both the state’s stalled online casino debate and its ongoing legal fight over prediction markets, though neither candidate has committed to signing online casino nlegislation.
Gov. Kathy Hochul remains the favorite, according to both polling and prediction markets cited by Covers. But even if she wins, online casino legislation would still need support from both the governor’s office and the Legislature to move forward.
Hochul and Blakeman have taken different gambling-related positions
Hochul has backed New York’s land-based casino expansion and signed the state’s sweepstakes casino ban but has not endorsed online casino legalization.
Her administration also approved three downstate casino licenses in December 2025: Resorts World New York City, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, and Bally’s Bronx.
Online casino legislation, however, remains stuck. Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr.’s latest bill covering online casinos and interactive lottery has stalled in the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, and Hochul previously left online casinos out of her 2024 executive budget.
Republican Bruce Blakeman has supported the proposed Nassau County casino project tied to the Nassau Coliseum site, including signing the original 2023 lease linked to Las Vegas Sands’ redevelopment plan.
Prediction markets are part of the political backdrop
The race also intersects with New York’s dispute over prediction markets. Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James announced a lawsuit against Kalshi in July, alleging the company was operating an unlicensed gambling product. In August, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission directed Kalshi to continue operating.
Blakeman later criticized Hochul for rejecting a potential revenue agreement with Kalshi, signaling a different approach to event contracts. Still, Covers noted that his comments did not amount to a full regulatory framework.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Kalshi showed about a 94% chance of a Democratic victory, while Polymarket priced Hochul at 95% and Blakeman at 5%, with roughly $281,000 traded. An Emerson College Polling/PIX11 survey conducted Oct. 3-5 found Hochul ahead 52%-40%, with 8% undecided.
What comes next for New York online casinos
Even with Democrats strongly positioned to keep control of the Senate and Assembly, the biggest unanswered question is familiar: whether the governor would support an online casino bill if lawmakers pass one. As Addabbo has repeatedly argued, legalization still needs gubernatorial buy-in to become law.
For now, New York already offers legal mobile sports betting, but online slots and table games remain off the table.
Based on reporting by Ryan Butler for Covers.
