In a disappointing turn of events for New York gamblers, the state’s online casino industry has officially been left out of the state budget. Despite months of lobbying and pushing for inclusion, online casinos will not be legalized in the Empire State this year.
The news comes as a shock to many industry insiders who had high hopes for the potential revenue and job creation that could have come from legalizing online casinos. With neighboring states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania already reaping the benefits of online gambling, many had hoped that New York would soon follow suit.
The decision to leave online casinos out of the state budget is a blow to the industry, as well as to the state’s economy. Advocates for online gambling had argued that legalizing the industry would bring in much-needed revenue for the state, as well as create jobs and boost tourism.
However, opponents of online gambling pointed to concerns about addiction and the potential for increased crime and corruption. These concerns likely played a role in the decision to exclude online casinos from the budget.
Despite the setback, supporters of online gambling remain hopeful that the issue will be revisited in the future. Many believe that the potential economic benefits of legalizing online casinos are too great to ignore, and that New York will eventually join the ranks of states that have embraced online gambling.
In the meantime, New York gamblers will have to continue to make the trek to nearby states in order to gamble online legally. For now, it seems that the dream of a thriving online casino industry in the Empire State will have to wait.
