NY wants Sports Betting

Posted: May 21, 2012 in Uncategorized
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http://www.wagerminds.com/blog/legalization/lawmaker-aims-to-legalize-sports-betting-in-new-york-5860/

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New York State Senator Tony Avella (D-Queens) has introduced a bill in the State Senate which would legalize sports betting at casinos and racinos and off-track betting parlors all across New York state. And Avella’s legalization efforts have the backing of the Brooklyn District Attorney, one of the state’s top prosecturos.Why does Avella want to legalize sports betting? Well, for the most obvious reason: to enrich the state’s coffers. Avella pointed to a study by the New York City Partnership which estimated the state could generate $2 billion a year in revenue if sports betting was legal.

Brooklyn DA Joe Hynes rightly points out  “Right now, sports betting is a cash cow for the mob,” said Hynes. “I’ve been in favor of legalized sports betting. It has always made sense to me.”

Now, the odds are long that sports betting will be legalized in New York anytime soon. Avella’s bill would need to be approved in two consecutive votes by the legislature and by the voters as the bill amends the state’s constitution. And if it can clear those hurdles, New York would then be where New Jersey is: having to fight to overturn the federal ban on sports betting in every state except Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon.

But this is yet another development that seems to indicate the tide is turning and the sentiment in favor of legalization is growing. It won’t happen overnight but it seems more and more likely it will happen sometime.

 

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