New York casino workers oppose legalization of igaming
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Casino workers in New York have written an open letter to oppose the legalization of online gambling legislation in the state after fresh bills were put forward to bring the vertical live.
Empire State Senator Joseph Addabbo put forward a fresh bill last month in an attempt to legalize the vertical.
SB8185 would see a 30.5% tax rate on GGR and a $2m licence fee introduced. Licenses would last for a decade under the proposed measures.
However, 700 workers at the Resorts World Casino in Queens have argued in a letter seen by the New York Post that the legalization of online casino would “hurt” the bricks-and-mortar workers to benefit a small number of operators.
“We find it appalling that you are pushing legislation that would hurt workers like us and our industry, to benefit a handful of companies who are seeking massive profits at our expense.
“When customers come to a racino, (Video Lottery Terminal) parlor, or casino, they support all of our jobs, including cooks, bartenders, servers, maintenance workers, and hotel workers.
“We know that if, instead, they were to game from their homes, workplaces, or elsewhere, their dollars would go straight into the pockets of gaming companies, rather than to support the livelihoods of thousands of New Yorkers who support the state’s gaming industry.”
The letter was sent under the letterhead of the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council Union. The Union represents almost 40,000 non-managerial employees.
According to the Post, Addabbo has received $77,100 in campaign contributions from igaming companies and associated brands.
Eilers & Krejcik Gaming released a report, which was commissioned iDEA Growth which claimed igaming posed no threat to land-based casinos and in turn would see bricks-and-mortar revenue increase.
