New York Senator Wants Big Apple Casinos Licensed This Year

New York Senator Wants Big Apple Casinos Licensed This Year. Sen. Joseph Addabbo wants full casinos to be licensed in the New York City area this year.

Addabbo wants to introduce a bill this year to legalize iGaming sites. The legislative session began Jan. 4 and is scheduled to end June 16. Of the six states where i gaming is legal, three share a border with New York. In Connecticut, about 500 online casino games are available. Last year, Addabo said he expects igaming revenue to exceed the money New Yorkers take in from it.

New York Senator wants Big Apple Casinos Licensed this year. Gaming Facility Location Board is overseeing the licensing for downstate sites. The board will submit its recommendations to the New York State Gaming Commission for final approval.

Currently, gaming properties in the New York City area can offer slot-style video lottery terminal games. New license holders would be allowed to offer table games such as craps and blackjack. Two resorts that offer slots are under consideration for a license to operate full casinos. One of them is Resorts World New york at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. The other is MGM Resort’s Empire City, a harness raceway in Yonkers north of the Bronx.

New York voters approved seven commercial casino licenses statewide in 2013. Four state-regulated casinos have opened and are operating in upstate New York. Last April, officials in Albany authorized the final three licenses to be approved at downstate sites.