Potential Expansion of Internet Gambling to NY, MD, and CA, According to Experts – Sky Bulletin
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In light of Rhode Island becoming the seventh state to offer internet gambling, experts at an online gambling conference this week predicted more states, including New York, Maryland, and possibly even California, to follow suit shortly.
The discussions, which took place at the Next.io forum focused on internet gambling and sports betting, highlighted New York and Maryland as next in line to provide online casino games, based on the insights shared by industry panelists.
California, despite struggling with regulatory agreements that satisfy all stakeholders, was identified as a significant market that can’t be overlooked for internet gambling opportunities.
Rob Heller, the CEO of Spectrum Gaming Capital, commented on the unrealized potential in the industry.
The current roster of U.S. states offering online casino games sits at six—New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia—plus Rhode Island recently. Nevada limits its online offerings to poker, not full casino games.
During the forum, West Virginia state delegate Shawn Fluharty and Brandt Iden, vice president of government affairs for Fanatics Betting and Gaming, expressed the view that New York and Maryland stand a strong chance of introducing internet gambling in the near future.
Both Fluharty and Iden highlighted the challenging nature of legislating online casino operations, contrasting the widespread adoption of sports betting in thirty-eight states plus Washington, D.C., with the much lesser prevalence of internet casino gambling.
Educating lawmakers unfamiliar with online gambling is another issue, according to Iden. He pointed out that some legislators confuse i-gaming with video gaming.
Additionally, there is some resistance due to fears of cannibalization of brick-and-mortar casino revenues, though Fluharty noted new casino openings in Pennsylvania post-internet gambling legalization.
The panelists spoke about leveraging the tax benefits and highlighting responsible gambling measures as strategies to advocate for internet gambling. New York state senator Joseph Addabbo has been pushing for such legislation, emphasizing the allocation of funds for problem gambling programs.
In Maryland, proposed legislation favors live dealer online games as a means of job creation, with an accompanying lower tax rate.
Though New York is actively working towards online gambling legalization, Gov. Kathy Hochul has not prioritized it in her budget proposal for the current year.
Despite complications from competing gambling interests in California, Edward King of Acies Investments believes that its entry into online gambling is inevitable. However, Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, is less optimistic about California and Texas moving forward with online gambling legislation in the near term.
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Article summary provided by Wayne Parry.
The online gambling landscape is poised for expansion within the United States. With industry experts forecasting the inclusion of states like New York, Maryland, and potentially California, there is a clear momentum for the introduction of internet casino games. Challenges such as legislative education and balancing industry interests remain, but there is a general consensus that the benefits, particularly in terms of tax revenue and job creation, make internet gambling an attractive proposition for states. As discussions continue and the industry evolves, these developments will be critical in shaping the future of online gambling in America.
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