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State of Play’s TL;DR
- Assemblymember Carrie Woerner said legal online casinos could be five years out.
- Woerner’s committee would be instrumental in expanding gambling in the Empire State.
New York online casino legalization does not appear close.
Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, who chairs the New York Assembly’s committee on racing and gaming, said online casinos in the state are “perpetually five years out.”
That comment, made during a panel at The Racing and Gaming Conference in Saratoga, is a sobering update for anyone hoping New York would soon join the states with licensed online casino apps. For a market as large as New York, that also matters nationally.
Woerner pours cold water on online casino hopes
According to Gambling Insider, Woerner’s committee would play a central role in any effort to pass online casino legislation in New York. Her remark suggests the issue is not building toward a near-term breakthrough.
It looks like New York is effectively out of the immediate running to become one of the next states to authorize online casino play. Seven states currently have licensed casino apps, or eight if Nevada is included for online poker.
There’s a more cautious mood around online casinos than the one that surrounded sports betting after the 2018 Supreme Court decision that opened the door to state gambling expansion.
Why momentum appears weaker
Woerner pointed to broader economic pressure as one obstacle.
“We’re seeing a stagnation of disposable income in the economy generally. So, if disposable income is stagnant, the more money you’re spending on gambling, that’s less money you’re spending on going out to dinner, on going to movies, or shopping on our Main Street.”
Political fatigue from sports betting advertising and reports of underage access have added to responsible gambling concerns. In that environment, online casinos have not generated the same level of public support that sports betting did.
Still, the national conversation is not dead. Gambling Insider cited revenue results in New Jersey and Pennsylvania showing online casino revenue outpacing mobile sportsbooks, a reminder of why lawmakers and operators continue to watch the category closely.
Industry expectations still point to expansion
At the Saratoga conference, a poll of more than 200 attendees were asked how many states would offer online casino gaming within five years. The most common answer was between 10 and 20 states.
That suggests industry optimism remains intact at a national level, even as expectations for New York appear far more restrained. Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, and the District of Columbia are possible nearer-term candidates for expansion.
Based on reporting by Steve Bittenbender for Gambling Insider.
