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Sen. Addabbo is the chairman of the State Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering.
By Forum Staff
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) has convened a public hearing in Albany next week to gather testimony on the expansion of legal sports wagering in New York, including the possibility of mobile betting.
According to Addabbo, the hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, at 11 a.m. in Hearing Room A of the Legislative Office Building. Lawmakers will hear from a variety of stakeholders interested in the future of legal sports wagering in New York. And witnesses will address questions of constitutionality associated with online gambling; the experiences of other states, including New Jersey, that have implemented mobile sports betting; potential revenue and job creation from legalized sports wagering; services needed to address problem gambling, and other pertinent issues, the senator said, adding that much of the witness testimony will specifically address Senate Bill 17/Assembly Bill 6113, sponsored by Addabbo and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-Mt. Vernon), chairman of the Assembly Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering. The legislation establishes a regulatory framework for legalized sports betting, including a mobile component, at four approved upstate casinos in New York State.
“I had hoped the newly-enacted New York State Budget would have included authorization for mobile sports betting, but agreement could not be reached by the April 1 deadline,” said Addabbo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering. “I continue to believe online wagering will create new jobs for state residents and provide a significant source of state revenue to fund education and other vital programs.”
