Encouraging careful expansion as southern regions prepare to open fresh gambling establishments
**New York's Casino Licensing and Online Gambling Regulation: A Focus on Economic Development and Responsible Gaming**
New York is making significant strides in its casino licensing process and online gambling regulation, with a strong emphasis on economic development, job creation, and responsible gambling practices.
On June 27, 2025, the application deadline for downstate New York casino licenses closed, with eight contenders vying for the three available licenses. The winners are expected to be announced by the end of the year, following a rigorous process that includes a $500 million license fee, a minimum investment of $500 million, and community approval [1][3].
The expansion of casinos in New York is anticipated to generate a one-off income of $1.5 billion, with ongoing taxation revenue allocated to education and problem gambling programs [5]. This economic development is expected to foster recovery and create jobs across the New York City region.
The introduction of new casinos is projected to create significant job opportunities, contributing to local economic growth [5]. However, the focus on responsible gambling is equally important. Woerner, a member of the governor's committee on racing, gaming, and wagering, emphasised the challenge of using technology to enhance customer experience without creating addictions [6]. She also cautioned the possibilities of technology in wagering and the need for guardrails around artificial intelligence and machine learning.
In light of this, lawmakers are considering implementing greater verification measures and digital guardrails to detect early signs of gambling addictions [7]. They are also advocating for initiatives to curb gambling addiction and collect state dollars lost to fraudulent sites [8].
While there is no specific update on New York's online gambling technology, the broader casino industry is focusing on omnichannel operations that integrate online and offline gaming experiences [2]. New York's online sports betting has been operational since 2022, but specific updates on online casino regulation are not currently prominent in the discussions around downstate casino licensing [4].
It's important to note that the illegal market for gambling is growing, with New York losing about a billion dollars to other states in this market [9]. Woerner urged lawmakers and gaming executives to ensure that digital betting outlets are used responsibly to prevent addictions [6].
New York state's mobile sports betting generated $100 million in revenue last month, making it the number one economic gaming growth state in the country and globally [10]. The revenue from the gaming industry is intended for education funding.
Two lawmakers, State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. and Assembly Member Carrie Woerner, spoke at City and State's "Trailblazers in Casinos and Sports Betting" event, highlighting their advocacy for the city's iGaming and brick and mortar gambling industries [11].
State lawmakers have passed a bill prohibiting illegal sweepstake casinos, and the state has invested nearly $12 million towards "problem gaming" initiatives [12]. Online betting lowers barriers of entry into gambling, according to Woerner, making it crucial to ensure that these new platforms are used responsibly [6].
In conclusion, New York's casino licensing process is moving forward with a focus on economic development, job creation, and responsible gambling practices. However, specific advancements in online gambling regulation and technology are not detailed in recent reports, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures in this rapidly evolving industry.
References: [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/nyregion/new-york-casinos-licensing.html [2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-01/new-york-casinos-are-betting-on-the-metaverse [3] https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2023/06/27/new-york-casino-license-applications-due-today-1337912 [4] https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-casino-licenses-new-york-state-gaming-commission-20230627-vjbjfj6f5nj7g7l5kx73t7gkqy-story.html [5] https://www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-state-downstate-casino-gaming-facility-license-application [6] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/01/nyregion/new-york-casinos-gambling-addiction.html [7] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/30/nyregion/new-york-gambling-app-addiction.html [8] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/01/nyregion/new-york-gambling-addiction-revenue.html [9] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/nyregion/new-york-gambling-illegal-market.html [10] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/01/nyregion/new-york-mobile-sports-betting-revenue.html [11] https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/politics/politics-insider/new-york-city-politics/new-york-casino-licensing-legislation-gambling.html [12] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/nyregion/new-york-problem-gambling-funding.html
In the context of New York's casino licensing and online gambling regulation, the integrity of digital betting outlets is a critical concern to prevent addictions, as emphasized by Woerner, a member of the governor's committee on racing, gaming, and wagering [6]. Furthermore, the ongoing focus is to implement digital guardrails and greater verification measures to ensure responsible gambling practices [7].
