ALBANY (WCBS 880) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced two proposals to legalize mobile sports betting and recreational use of marijuana for adults in New York.
In a press release, the governor, who has previously pushed back against both ideas, said he would now be making the revenue-generating measures a central part of his policy proposals.
With the state facing a widening budget gap, Gov. Cuomo has suggested online sports betting could dramatically increase revenue, if it’s done right.
“Many states have done sports betting, but they basically allow casinos to run their own gambling operations, that makes a lot of money for casinos, but it makes minimal money for the state,” Cuomo said.
Under his proposal, the New York State Gaming Commission will issue a request for proposals to select and license an operator or platform to offer mobile sports betting in the state.
Whomever is licensed must have a partnership with at least one of the existing licensed commercial casinos and the commission will require any mobile wagering apps created will include warnings against addiction.
Robert Mujica, the New York State Budget Director, says the difference in tax revenue should be tenfold and consumers shouldn't care.
“For the betters, it's seamless and it's exactly the same - the only difference is state gets the money versus others,” Mujica explains.
Cuomo is also hoping to generate tax revenue by creating “a comprehensive system to oversee and regulate cannabis.”
The governor has proposed creating a new Office of Cannabis Management to oversee a new adult-use recreational program, as well as New York’s existing medical program.
"Despite the many challenges New York has faced amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it has also created a number of opportunities to correct longstanding wrongs and build New York back better than ever before," Governor Cuomo said. "Not only will legalizing and regulating the adult-use cannabis market provide the opportunity to generate much-needed revenue, but it also allows us to directly support the individuals and communities that have been most harmed by decades of cannabis prohibition."
Cuomo says the office would also offer licensing opportunities for those in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by law enforcement efforts against marijuana to become entrepreneurs in the new recreational market.
The governor’s proposals will still need support from Democrats in swing districts that have long cited concerns that legalization would lead to more impaired driving and more children smoking pot.
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