New York state lawmakers are pushing forward a bill designed to expedite the licensing process for downstate casinos, significantly altering the initial timeline set by regulators. Sponsored by state Senator Joe Addabbo and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, the proposed bill requires bids to be filed by the end of July and insists that the New York State Gaming Commission award licenses by March 31, 2025, instead of the previous deadline of December 31, 2025.
Applicants will need to address 17 specific areas in their bids, ranging from capital expenditure and proposed partnerships to workforce training and demographic plans. The bill also emphasizes the importance of “harmony” in these proposals.
The New York Post pointed out that this expedited timeline could have varied impacts. Senator Addabbo’s district, which borders Aqueduct, home to Resorts World’s casino proposal, might benefit from the faster schedule. Similarly, Assemblyman Pretlow’s district is near the Yonkers racetrack, another possible casino site. On the other hand, Steve Cohen’s casino proposal near Citi Field may struggle with this shortened timeline, as it requires additional legislative action to proceed.
The stakes are high. “I’ve been trying to get the process moving,” Pretlow told the Post. “It’s taking too long. We’re leaving $2 billion on the table.” Any new project would undoubtedly translate into new jobs and a fresh revenue stream for the state.
In another area of sports and betting, an NCAA report released on May 17th has unveiled that one in three high-profile athletes has received abusive messages from individuals with a betting interest. During March Madness, the NCAA commissioned a study via Signify Group, examining over 54,000 flagged cases of “online abuse and threats.” A startling 1% of these incidents were betting-related and predominantly targeted men’s and women’s basketball players.
Out of the 1,000 student-athletes, 280 coaches, 120 officials, and 64 teams scrutinized in the study, those in sports with high betting volumes experienced 15-25% of abuse stemming from betting activities. Moreover, female basketball players were three times more likely to face such threats than their male colleagues.
Simultaneously, Caesars Sportsbook has announced the opening of three new betting locations in New Mexico as of May 20th.
. Bettors can now place their wagers in person at Route 66 Casino Hotel and Casino Xpress, west of Albuquerque, as well as Dancing Eagle Casino, east of Grants. This expansion was facilitated through a partnership with Laguna Development, the commercial arm of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe. New Mexico currently prohibits digital sports betting, giving exclusivity to its tribes for gaming.
In legislative news, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed a bill that would have legalized games of skill. This action was part of a larger set of 48 vetoes executed on May 17th. The games, which remain unregulated within the state, have been drawing attention in Pennsylvania and other states. Youngkin argued that Virginia must first establish a robust set of safeguards before considering legalization. He expressed disappointment that the legislature did not adopt his recommendations but stated he is open to further dialogue.
The American Gaming Association supported Youngkin’s veto. CEO Bill Miller praised the decision, emphasizing that it “will protect communities from illegal gambling machines and uphold not only the original ban passed by the General Assembly in 2020 but also subsequent judicial determinations in Virginia’s courts.”
In other news, the Chicago Tribune printed its final edition at the historic Freedom Center. The iconic newspaper will now move its print operations to a suburban location as construction begins on the Bally’s Casino Complex.
Meanwhile, Iowa’s Q Casino and Resort is slated to unveil its newly renovated casino floor starting May 24th. The grand opening festivities will span the Memorial Day weekend, featuring live music and various giveaways.
Finally, Wisconsin’s Potawatomi Tribe is in the development stages of an on-site mobile betting app, set to be ready by early 2025. This project follows the recent opening of their retail sportsbook earlier this month, signaling a new digital chapter in the tribe’s gaming operations.
Significant changes are afoot across the U.S. in the realms of casino licensing, sports betting, and gaming legislation, reflecting a rapidly evolving landscape influenced by both economic imperatives and the need for regulatory oversight.
