Political leaders and casino executives met late last week in Atlantic City for the 16th annual East Coast Gaming Congress and Hospitality Forum, where panelists said that individual states will likely begin approving internet gambling over the next two years because partisan gridlock in Congress.
To some, online gambling may simply another expansion to consider. Massachusetts is currently reviewing applications for three Las Vegas-style casinos approved in a law passed last year, and an amendment to the New York State Constitution supported by Governor Andrew Cuomo that would usher in up to seven corporation-run casinos in the state cleared its first hurdle earlier this year.
The prospect of more casinos in New York will be the focus of meetings being held over the next two days between state officials and members of the Coalition Against Gambling in New York, who have called for a moratorium on gambling expansion in the state, during the group’s 9th annual Albany lobby day.
Joel Rose chairs the coalition; he spoke with WAMC’s Patrick Donges about what the group’s agenda and who they will be meeting with this year.