New York Poll Shows iGaming Support, but Results Are a Mixed Bag

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One of New York’s biggest gaming and sports betting supporters in the legislature published poll results of 523 constituents that show a slight approval rating for the legalization of iGaming.

However, support for iGaming isn’t overwhelming and the poll results are a mixed bag at best.

New York Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. (D-15) introduced an iGaming bill earlier this year that did not gain enough support to be included in the state’s budget. Addabbo has been focused on moving an iGaming bill forward for the last two years to address the state’s budget deficit.

Legalized Prostitution Support Outpaces iGaming

The poll included responses from 523 constituents in the 15th district of New York. Four questions were posed to voters, including legalized iGaming and legalized prostitution, and the results were published last week.

For iGaming, the poll posed the following question:

With many New York residents participating in illegal, unregulated, and unsafe gaming operations over the Internet, I introduced legislation allowing licensed interactive gaming operators to offer online casino games to the public. Steps to protect consumers, combat compulsive gaming, and prevent minors from accessing online gaming sites are included. iGaming would create an estimated $1 billion in additional revenue annually and create jobs. Do you support or oppose iGaming?

Overall, 44% of respondents support legalized iGaming, 33% oppose the new form of gaming, and 23% are unsure.

Howard Beach constituents supported iGaming at a higher rate than any area of the district, with 63.3% supporting iGaming legalization. The area with the least support for iGaming? Glendale respondents equally support and oppose iGaming, both at 41.7%.

While most respondents do support iGaming legalization, it’s important to keep the results in perspective. Why? Because legalized prostitution greatly outpaced iGaming in the district, with 56% of respondents supporting the issue and 28% opposing it.

What’s Next for New York iGaming?

Addabbo Jr. will likely pursue iGaming legalization next year, as he has done for the past two legislative sessions.

This year’s bill, S8185, attempted to legalize iGaming and iLottery in the state. The bill included online slots, table games, live dealer games, and a 30.5% tax rate. Most states average between 15% to 18% for their iGaming tax rates.

Addabbo Jr. has estimated New York could see upwards of $1 billion in iGaming revenue if legalized. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut currently have robust and successful iGaming programs, Addabbo said, and New York is losing revenue over its borders as people flock to those states to participate.

But iGaming support has yet to catch on in the legislature. For two straight years Addabbo Jr. has introduced a bill to legalize iGaming, and both years iGaming revenues have not been included in the state’s budget.

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