New York Senate Moves To Fast Track Casino Expansion
In a last-minute push, New York lawmakers have bypassed the end of the current legislative session to greenlight a bill that will accelerate the awarding of casino licenses in the Empire State.
Sponsored by Senator Joe Addabbo, SB 9673 was passed by a vote of 51-4 in the New York Senate and will now be sent to Governor Kathy Hochul for approval.
The New York Senate, which was due to adjourn on June 6, worked beyond the deadline in order to pass the bill.
Once approved, SB 9673 will impose a deadline of December 31, 2025, for selecting the three new casino venues that will be based in downstate New York.
Hochul, a Democrat who has previously supported the expansion of land casinos in New York, is thought to be likely to approve the bill.
Furthermore, SB 9673 also includes a provision that will permit interested developers to apply for casino licenses, even before land use issues are fully resolved. Lawmakers hope this will again help to accelerate the process of getting spades in the ground on the new casino projects.
There are currently 11 known applicants for the three casino licenses, including casino behemoths such as MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands.
The final deadline for the issue of New York's three new casino licenses is now March 31, 2026, and cannot run further.
A Step Closer to iGaming in New York?
With an estimated $1 billion windfall projected from the introduction of iGaming, it's easy to see how, for some lawmakers like Addabbo, the allure of expanding casino revenue is undeniable.
However, the path to iGaming legalization remains uncertain, and it doesn’t necessarily follow that the expansion of New York's retail casino scene would support the case for its approval.
Therefore, while the bill's assent would represent a significant step forward in accelerating the granting of physical casino licenses, it's fair to say that iGaming in New York is not imminent.
Despite this, supporters of both the bill and the new casinos hope that expanding the state's physical gambling presence will pave the way for eventual iGaming legalization, which might be achievable by the end of 2025 or 2026.
Is It Possible to Play Any Casino Games Online in New York?
Not for real money, no.
However, New York, like many states in the US, does offer players the chance to play at sweepstakes or social casinos.
Sweepstakes casinos offer the same range of casino games and slots that you find at a conventional real-money online casino. The difference with a sweepstakes casino is that the games are played for free using virtual currency, and it is not possible to wager real money or to win cash directly.
For further information on the current status of online casinos & sweepstakes casinos in New York, click here.
