Traditional Gaming Evolves in New York

The state of New York has allowed various forms of gambling for decades - this includes horseracing and other forms of gambling such as Lotto and Bingo - but the gaming industry of the betting world could be on the brink of some major changes over the next few years. The state legislature is considering changes to current laws, which will allow full-scale casinos to be built. The current debate focuses on expanding the Aqueduct facility to include an enourmous convention center/casino that could play host to poker tournaments as well as hundreds of other traditional casino games.

Genting Group (which is one of the world’s largest gambling operators with casinos in Singapore, Macau, and the UK) already operate a “racino” at Aqueduct - offering games like video slots and electronic table games - and has submitted a multi-billion dollar proposal to build one of the world’s largest convention centers at Aqueduct in exchange for a license to expand its gambling operations to a traditional casino. This could provide a huge demand for new jobs within the state.

Interest from other gambling operators could also be high if New York state voted to allow for brick-and-mortar casinos to be built. Interest in gambling and poker in New York is high, but the only current option enthusiasts have in the state to visit are a handful of small casinos on reservations. Most gamblers frequently choose instead to head to Pennsylvania or New Jersey when they want to hit the slots or play Blackjack or Poker.

Unwilling to see the potential tax dollars continue to leave the state, New York is just one of several states now taking a look at gambling games and thinking about the profits they can provide. New Jersey is also eyeing online gaming as a potential revenue generator, with hundreds of millions of dollars to be made from offering legal online lotto, poker, and casino games to state residents via intra-state sites.