New York legislators prepare Casino Proposal

2025-06-20

ALBANY — It has been settled by the lawmaking leaders and Andrew M. Cuomo, the Governor of New York City to request voters to modify the State Constitution to permit a considerable  development of casino gambling in November. Even though the voters would be solicited to approve seven fresh casinos, however the legislative leaders and the governor stated that they will also authorize additional four casinos situated in the Albany area, Catskills and the Southern Tier area which is near the periphery with Pennsylvania for a minimum period of subsequent seven years.  

New York will emerge as the densely inhabited state in the country with complete casinos based on the theme of Las Vegas having table games such as roulette online and craps, subject to authorization of modification in the law by the voters. It is noteworthy that there are already five upstate casinos in the New York which are under the possession of Indian tribes. Apart from this, there are nine racinos i.e. racetracks with electronic gambling also. But the fresh casinos will not be located by the tribal casinos or the New York City and its borders.

The casinos were called to be an important part of bigger endeavor to invigorate the financial positions of the upstate areas which are suffering from a long time, the tax-free areas at state universities and an economical reformation board. He added that there can be more jobs with the fresh casino laws as it will lead to enhanced gaming which naturally expands the tourism at any place.

However, the referendum is not a definite matter. It was demonstrated by an opinion poll held by the Quinnipiac University during the start of the month that 48% of the voters from New York preferred modifying the Constitution to permit enhanced casino gambling. The votes were quite less in favor of New York City. It is a factor that puts forward a prospective confrontation to the followers of enhanced gambling due to the reason that mayoral race can produce more profit returns in the city as compared to other areas of the state. As per statement given by the director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute- Maurice Carroll, it is an appealing confrontation.

The companies and institutes which are quite curious about gambling have been engaged in pouring millions on reception areas. They are also using political power in Albany to persuade policymakers about refusal or approval of the gambling enhancement. An investigation by a government overseer team named New York Public Interest Research Group has revealed that the groups which have strong inclination towards gambling have supplied around $2 million to parties, candidates and promotional teams across the state.

Genting New York is one of the benefactors that operates a flourishing slot parlor at the Aqueduct racetrack in Queens and has contributed over $125,000 to so many Democratic as well as Republican contenders right from the election which was held in 2025. The company will definitely get a control in the area for a minimum of seven years with the fresh casino agreement. According to a statement given by the company on Wednesday, it is in complete agreement with the objective of upstate job production and fiscal growth as summarized in the plan of the governor.

Apart from this, it appears that Mr. Cuomo has also counterbalanced some of the possible in-state antagonism by signing three latest agreements with Indian tribes to clear-up the disagreements and other problems which were hanging from a long time. The tribes which have got distinction in areas to carry out their gambling activities could have been the powerful economic supporters of a no-promotion.

As per statement given by James Featherstonehaugh- the president of the association, it was pointed out by one more prospective antagonist, which is a representative of the racinos of the state that the plan was a grand development following modifications made by the governor and the legislators to save the racetracks.

It seems that the casino proposal will be antagonized by some religious groups and the people who resist gambling as a means of degenerative duty and may be by the casino operators in the states nearby who may be afraid of rivalry due to enhanced casino gambling in New York. As per statement given by a representative of the New York State Catholic Conference –Dennis Poust on Wednesday, the bishops of the state were worried about the effect of uncontrollable gambling and the social evils such as crime and prostitution which are linked with casinos.

The casino bill which was brought in on Tuesday and proclaimed on Wednesday will also allow 2,000 fresh video lottery machines identical to slot machines at betting parlors which are located out of the track in Suffolk Counties and Nassau. This plan is supported by the Long Island Republican- Dean G. Skelos who has an allocated leadership of the State Senate with a team of separated Democrats.

Apart from resolving casino problem in the last days of legislative assembly, the governor also divided his 10-point Women’s Equality Act on Tuesday. According to a statement given by Mr. Cuomo on Wednesday, he did not wish legislators to become capable of referring to the bureaucratic grounds to pass over a vote. He added that if voters don’t vote it means they don’t wish to vote so a non-vote is definitely a no vote. 
Expecting that the legislators will not accept his plans to deal with dishonesty in the parliament, Mr. Cuomo stated on Wednesday that he will ask a committee to inspect the collection of money through promotional movement by the officers nominated by the state.