The idea of expanding internet gambling is being tossed about. In fact, the topic of Maryland, California, and New York online gambling was recently discussed at an industry event. And while many believe that the mess in California makes the idea improbable, the other states have real chances to make it happen.
Rhode Island recently became the seventh state to offer regulated online casino gambling. The first six states where Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Nearly 40 states regulate online sports betting, but remember that is not the same as casino gaming, or even online poker, which is regulated in Nevada.
What makes New York online gambling feasible? Well, according to the Associated Press, the head of a national consortium of lawmakers from states with gambling interests, identified New York and Maryland as the “most probable candidates” for introducing internet gambling in the near future. Joining him in this assessment was the Vice President of Government Affairs for Fanatics Betting and Gaming and a former Michigan state representative.
Both experts acknowledged the challenges associated with passing legislation for online casinos. While thirty-eight states and Washington, DC, presently offer online sports betting, only seven have legalized internet casino gambling. One noted that part of the challenge lies in some lawmakers’ lack of familiarity with the industry. Conversely, some worry that introducing online casino games could diminish revenue from traditional brick-and-mortar casinos.
However, industry leaders argue that New York online gambling can complement in-person gaming. For example, in Pennsylvania there are four casinos opened after the state initiated internet casino gambling. During the conference, panelists highlighted the need to promote the tax revenue generated by internet gambling to encourage broader acceptance of the practice. They also emphasized the importance of implementing programs to address compulsive gambling behavior.
New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, a prominent advocate for online betting in his state, recently proposed legislation to allocate a minimum of $6 million annually to programs addressing problem gambling. Meanwhile the CEO of BetMGM, Adam Greenblatt, expressed skepticism about California approving online gambling in the near future, and noted that Texas, despite being a potentially lucrative market, has resisted gambling expansion for two decades.