After several years of trying to get legalized mobile New York sports betting implemented and operational in New York, the dream finally became a reality on Jan. 8 as the first four of nine sports wagering providers launched in the Empire State.
At that moment, sports wagering was forever changed in the nation and the floodgates were opened for more states to join the party.
One person behind New York’s launch was recognized Monday as the American Gambling Awards announced that New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) has been named the 2022 “Policymaker of the Year.”
The American Gambling Awards are produced by Gambling.com Group Limited (Nasdaq: GAMB), a leading provider of player acquisition services for the regulated global online gambling industry. (The EmpireStakes.com website is owned by Gambling.Com Group).
Addabbo Impact on New York
Addabbo, who is also Chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, has guided gaming expansion in the Empire State to record heights, including the nation’s highly successful mobile sports betting program, which has resulted in a multi-million-dollar windfall in tax revenue for elementary and secondary education and grants for youth sports programs within the state.
“Senator Addabbo has long been one of New York State’s most prominent advocates for legal, regulated and safe gaming, and is very deserving of receiving the Policymaker of the Year award,” said Charles Gillespie, chief executive officer of Gambling.com Group. “With great leadership like Sen. Addabbo spearheading the effort, New York state will continue to be a leader in what proper online gambling regulation should look in the United States.”
Addabbo also talked to EmpireStakes.com in March about his thoughts on addressing problem gambling.
Addabbo’s next goal now is to position the state to legalize iGaming, possibly sometime during the 2023 state legislative session, along with the licensing of three downstate casinos.
“It is an honor to be named Policymaker of the Year by the American Gambling Awards,” Addabbo said. “Bringing quality, regulated and safe gaming options to the residents of New York has been a major legislative goal of mine, and to see it expand so successfully is incredible. It is through the hard work of my office team and my legislative partners that we were able to bring legal mobile sports betting to the state, and the benefits are already beginning to be witnessed.
“In less than a year, New York State has collected over $500 million in tax revenue from mobile sports betting, with a large portion of that money going towards our educational system, problem gaming services, and youth sports programs. With the pending three downstate gaming licenses and the effort to consider entry into the iGaming market for our residents, the future is bright for New York, and I will continue to work on safely expanding gaming in our state.”
Since Jan. 8, the state of New York has had an overall handle of more than 3.32 billion and Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of $1.1 billion.
The state has received more than $561.4 million in taxes for New York sports apps.
For more info about the American Gambling Awards featuring a full list of categories and 2022 winners, visit https://www.gambling.com/us/awards
Addabbo Wins Re-Election
Sen. Addabbo was also re-elected in the 15th Senate District to another two-year term, garnering 28,681 votes (56.9%) in defeating Danniel Maio (R), who recorded 21,693 votes (43.1%).
“Today my team and I got to open the doors of my district offices to once again get to work helping the people of the 15th Senate District. This honor wouldn’t be possible without the help of all of my supporters,” said Addabbo in a victory statement.
“My work is never done and I look forward to representing my constituents up in Albany and here in the communities with an eye on strengthening our police force, protecting our coastal communities, safely expanding gaming in New York and assisting our working class families. To everyone who has supported me, I say THANK YOU!”
