Sen. Joseph Abbaddo’s bill to ban sweepstakes casinos in New York has advanced to the Senate floor after passing out of the Senate Standing Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering.
According to its NY Senate page, the vote to advance the bill succeeded 6-0, though only three Senators were on hand to vote in person during the meeting. According to Addabbo’s meeting commentary, voting sheets accounted for the remaining votes. Now, Senate Bill 5935, which would block operators, affiliates, and suppliers from engaging in sweepstakes operations, is headed to the Senate floor for full consideration.
Sen. Addabbo—who has also introduced a bill to legalize New York online casinos—has long advocated for regulated gambling in New York State. He told Bonus during a Wednesday call that while he “loves” SB 5935 and is hopeful it passes, its introduction is ultimately about raising awareness. That component, he said, is especially timely during Problem Gaming Awareness Month.
During Problem Gaming Awareness Month, what better month to try to make people aware of these sweeps casino sites and then do something about it? So, hopefully, we’re on our way, and soon, because I think [sweeps are] extremely dangerous.
Sweepstakes bill makes swift progress to next stage
Addabbo’s sentiment echoes his comments during Tuesday’s brief committee meeting when he told his committee peers that sweepstakes are “a growing issue.”
Addabbo’s peers also discussed the bill’s importance during the meeting. Sen. Pamela Helming, who voted to “aye with reservations” due to concerns raised by a constituent, confirmed she “wholeheartedly agreed” with the bill’s intent.
Meanwhile, Sen. James Tedisco noted the pressure youth are facing.
A lot of kids have a lot of temptations; they don’t need another one.
During Tuesday’s brief committee gathering, Addabbo also referenced recent action taken in Connecticut against sweepstakes operator High 5 Games.
We have these online sweepstakes casinos that basically look a lot like casino games, but they go unregulated. Right now we have a number of states, Connecticut being one of them, that basically made it illegal. They kicked out one of their operators … We’re looking to ban these kind of illegal, unregulated gaming sites in New York state.
He later told Bonus that New York makes “pain-staking” efforts to protect youth and other vulnerable populations from gambling harm. He noted that the committee also advanced Senate Bill 2610, prohibiting those under 21 from gambling.
Addabbo also shared condemnation of High 5’s alleged infractions.
High 5 targeting self-excluded individuals… Are you kidding me? People came forward proactively and said, I can’t do that. I’m in trouble here. And they’re targeting these people. This is a serious issue.
Ultimately, Addabbo aims to protect New Yorkers
In response to the bill, the Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) strongly denounced its “blatant overreach” in a media statement. The lobby group claims SB 5935 was rushed through the committee “without opposition or proper scrutiny.”
Further, the SPGA, which deemed legislators’ “disregard for industry expertise” alarming, says the legislation “recklessly mischaracterizes” sweepstakes gaming.
The group has asked lawmakers to stop their “reckless march toward economic self-sabotage and reject this deeply flawed bill before it inflicts lasting damage.”
However, whether or not his sweepstakes bill passes, Addabbo reiterated to Bonus that its progress is about raising awareness. He also welcomes any boost the sweepstakes problem could give his attempts to better protect citizens by legalizing New York online casinos.
Setting aside the potential employment and revenue benefits tied to legal online casinos, Addabbo said safety is his ultimate goal.
If it’s another reason why we should regulate iGaming in New York, so be it. Because I do think once you regulate iGaming in New York, you make it safer for New Yorkers… I said to my colleagues, let’s not be naive. New Yorkers are already online gaming. The problem is they’re doing it illegally. It’s so unsafe.
Or they’re going to Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, and we’re losing revenue and can’t help individuals. Once you regulate it, you make it a much safer product, and you’re in a far better position to help someone, not only with an addiction but pre-addiction, which is critical.
That’s our game plan, at least. Hopefully, we can move forward with it.
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