New York’s Addabbo: The Time Is Now For ‘Serious Discussions’ About Online Casino

It’s been a busy December already in the New York gambling world, with the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB) on Dec. 1 forwarding the applications of three bidders along for the final stage of casino licensing consideration, followed Dec. 5 by Gov. Kathy Hochul signing a bill to ban online sweepstakes casinos from operating in the Empire State.

And all that action has state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr., the chair of the Senate’s Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee and frequently the driving force pushing for gaming expansion in the state, thinking about what comes next.

Specifically, he’s looking to seize the opportunity to legalize and regulate online casino gaming, as he said via press release issued Monday that was ostensibly a celebration of Hochul signing his sweeps ban bill.

“Signing my bill into law is not the end of the conversation, but rather a necessary step toward responsible modernization of New York’s online gaming landscape,” Addabbo said. “By shutting down unsafe, unregulated sweepstakes casinos, New York is reaffirming that if online gaming is going to exist in this state, it must be legal, well-regulated, and built with strong consumer protections.

“With downstate casino licensing progressing and the illegal sweepstakes loophole now closed, the state is better positioned to hold serious discussions about regulating and potentially legalizing iGaming in the near future, possibly as part of the upcoming budget process. My priority is to ensure safety, prevent problem gambling, generate much needed, significant revenue, and keep New York competitive with surrounding states.”

It should be noted this is not the first time Addabbo has expressed hope that the timing is right for legal iGaming, as statements like this have been a routine occurrence since New York launched regulated mobile sports betting in January 2022.

The waiting game

Online casino legalization has stalled out nationwide, with Rhode Island the only state to launch in the regulated sphere since 2021. New York has, for the last several years, been considered a top candidate, but as in most states, the presidential election made it a steep hill to consider climbing in 2024.

New York faced the added complication of the long process to award three downstate casino licenses. Though Addabbo did introduce an iCasino bill in January 2025, he conceded that the brick-and-mortar licensing figured to overshadow online gaming and he seemed to recognize his legislation would be relegated to the backburner.

The GFLB last week recommended approving licenses for two casinos in Queens and one in the Bronx. By Dec. 21, if not sooner, those approvals are expected to be made official by the New York State Gaming Control Board.

During 2025, Addabbo shifted some of his attention to banning online games that offered sweepstakes-prizing options.

“New York has long taken a serious, responsible approach to gaming,” Addabbo said in this week’s release. “These unauthorized sweepstakes sites lack safeguards, such as age verification, betting limits, problem-gambling support, and oversight of payouts or fairness. This law closes a dangerous loophole and protects millions of New Yorkers from predatory, unregulated gambling schemes.” 

The text of the release concluded (not in Addabbo’s words, but rather from his office): “This new law protects New Yorkers today, and it may also serve as a precursor to the thoughtful, comprehensive regulation of online gaming tomorrow.”