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State of Play
- State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. has reintroduced a bill aimed at legalizing online casino gaming in New York, marking the fourth year of such efforts.
- This renewed push comes at a pivotal moment following the resolution of downstate casino licenses, setting the stage for digital gaming expansion in the state.
New York state Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. has introduced Senate Bill 2614 once again, which would legalize online casinos in the Empire State.
This measure is the same as the one filed in early 2025 and is matched by Assembly Bill A6027, which is under review.
If passed, the law would authorize online casinos offering slots, table games, poker tournaments, live dealer games, and iLottery. The legislation proposes a 30.5% tax on gross gaming revenue, notably disallowing deductions for promotions or bonus bets, contrasting with the sports betting tax structure.
Additionally, licensing fees are set at $2 million for each casino or operator and $10 million for platform-hosting contractors. This move follows the December approval of downstate casino licenses, which removed a major obstacle for online casino legalization efforts. However, opposition from groups like the Hotel and Trades Council persists, fearing negative impacts on physical casino jobs and revenue.
If passed, online casinos probably won’t launch this year
The legalization of iGaming in New York could generate around $1 billion annually in tax revenue, nearly matching the $1.04 billion expected from online sports betting in 2024.
For players and operators, this represents a significant expansion of legal gambling options within the state, potentially enhancing convenience and market competitiveness. To mitigate concerns from labor groups, the bill earmarks at least $25 million yearly for employee training, responsible gaming programs, and workforce development.
Still, users should expect a rollout delay similar to the mobile sports betting launch – about a year after legislation passes – meaning mobile casino games likely won’t be available until 2027. Until then, New Yorkers may continue to rely on neighboring states like New Jersey online casinos.
Based on reporting by Ian Valentino with Deadspin.
