As New York legislators consider potentially bringing online casino gaming to the state, a recent survey shows that there is significant interest among residents to expand legal New York online gambling.
The Sports Betting Alliance recently conducted a survey of New Yorkers about their views on iGaming, online lottery sales, and the state’s expected 2024 budget deficit. The majority of survey respondents favored legalizing mobile gaming to other options for raising revenue.
“By an 11-point margin (51%-40%), voters support approving iGaming in New York that will allow adults to place wagers online,” the survey notes. “Nearly every demographic and political sub-group preferred allowing iGaming, as opposed to the current system where adults who wish to wager are forced to either travel long distances or break the law by using illegal, offshore websites.”
A Look at the Survey Results
Beyond those results, the survey also shows that most adults in the state have experience with gaming and even making wagers online. More than two out of three (67%) have visited a casino and played poker, roulette, blackjack, or a slot machine, compared to 32% that have not.
Another 73% of voters aged 35-64, and majorities of every demographic and political sub-group, have visited a casino. A further 85%, including 74% of every demographic and political sub-group, have played the lottery – either a drawing or a scratch-off game.
Since mobile sports betting launched in New York in January 2022, the state has seen major revenue gains from the industry over those two years. The survey found that 15% of respondents had placed an online wager during that time. The highest sub-groups reporting make a mobile/online bet include:
- Men – 21%
- Adults under 35 – 22%
- Those not enrolled in a political party – 22%
Support for online lottery sales was even higher than online gaming, with 53% showing backing the plan. Almost every demographic and political group also supported iLottery sales.
According to recent reports, the state has been able to chip away at what had been expected to be a $9 billion deficit this year. However, that total is still expected to be around $4.3 billion. The survey noted that the state’s financial situation was a major concern among respondents with online gaming at least offering the opportunity to cut into that shortfall to some degree.
“Voters are highly concerned about projected deficits,” the study reports. “When asked to rate their level of concern for looming deficits on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest level of concern, 40% of voters rated their concerns a 10, compared to just 14% of voters who rated their concerns a 1, 2, or 3. A plurality of every demographic and political sub-group rated their concerns about deficits a 10 out of 10.”
In general, New Yorkers favor increased gaming to offset projected budget deficits. Raising taxes is extremely unpopular, according to the report, with 85% against upping income taxes to solve the deficit problem. According to the report, opposition is high across members of all political parties and in all regions of the state, including New York City where 81% disapprove of raising taxes. Another 61% also oppose raising taxes on businesses as well.
On the other hand, cuts in spending and state services were also unpopular, with 82% opposing this route as well. That included Republicans (72%), Democrats (86%), and unaffiliated voters (83%). The survey makes clear that voters favor expanded gaming options to shore up the state’s finances without raising taxes.
“More than 60% of New Yorkers agree that in working to close the deficit, New York should look to options such as mobile gaming and online lottery before raising new taxes on families or businesses (61% favor vs. 33% oppose),” the report notes. “A majority of every single demographic and political sub-group said New York should expand gaming before raising taxes.”
The survey was conducted by polling firm The Parkside Group fir the Sports Betting Alliance and featured responses of 800 Empire State adults
New York Online Gaming Plans
The New York legislative session kicks off this month and Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D) has been vocal about introducing a bill legalizing NY online casino gaming, poker, and lottery. Other nearby states have also offered legalized iGaming over the last decade, including New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
Addabbo led the effort to legalize NY online sports betting and believes the time is right to add traditional online casino gaming to that mix as well.
“What we’re seeing is that mobile sports betting in New York is being perceived as the number one product in the country,” Addabbo told Poker Industry Pro. “We should build upon that. The timing for iGaming is perfect in the sense that we’re showing that New Yorkers have the propensity and the desire to game with a device, as well as going through a brick-and-mortar site.”
