The gambling landscape in New York has been under a significant transformation in recent years, with a rapid expansion of the online casino industry. As a result, the state has been experiencing both economic opportunities, but also regulatory challenges when keeping up with the increasing consumer demand. Since the state legalized online sports betting in 2022, New York has become a key player in the U.S. online gambling market.
The growing industry
The growing online casino industry in New York is reflecting a national trend, where online gambling is gaining traction all throughout the country, and where the amount of online casino operators like Betway is increasing. 2023 was a significant year for the online gambling market in the U.S., as the proliferation of mobile gaming platforms resulted in an increasing number of consumers engaging in digital entertainment. The online gambling sector, which includes online casinos, online lottery, and online sports betting, had a total revenue of USD 19.54 billion in 2023, and this number is projected to increase to USD 24.98 billion in 2024. New York, being a state with a vibrant online casino culture, contributed significantly to this trend.
For now, it is the online sports betting scene that is fully operational in New York, and this scene is booming. In 2023, players in New York spent USD 19.64 billion betting on sports online, and the revenue from sports betting reached USD 1.76 billion. The numbers are not lying: Legalizing sports betting was a smart choice, and this success has also fueled discussions about expanding online gambling to also include online casinos.
The continuous push for online casinos
When one is referring to online casino gaming, this includes games and activities like digital slots, poker, and table games. Several states in the U.S. have legalized these activities, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. As a result, all these states have seen a revenue boost from the online casino platforms. Take for example Michigan, which only has 15 online casinos up and running. Despite the limited number of operators, the state had generated over USD 1.35 billion as of July 2024. This example, and numbers from the other states, are setting an example to New York lawmakers and industry stakeholders about the potential success the state could reach if legalizing online casinos.
At present, New Yorkers have limited access to online casino games, as only land-based casinos and racinos are allowed. Online gambling beyond sports betting is not yet fully legal. But the momentum for this change is building. Many advocates are leaning on the argument that online casino would provide a boost in state tax revenues and help local casinos compete with counterparts in other states, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The potential economic impact
Reports have shown that the potential economic impact of online casinos in New York could be substantial. Forbes can report that if online casino gambling was legalized, it would likely generate annual state tax revenues between USD 1.5 billion and USD 3 billion, which essentially would be to triple the tax revenue of online sports betting.
With a boost in state tax revenue like that, it would help fund critical public services, such as education and infrastructure, which is similar to how the revenue from online sports betting is currently being allocated. Another outcome of legalizing online casinos is the many jobs the sector would create within technology, customer service, and marketing, which would also stimulate the economy in New York.
Challenges and concerns
Even though it is clear that there would be substantial financial benefits, there are also challenges on the path to legalize online casinos in New York. One concern is gambling addiction. Both advocacy groups and public health experts are worried about the expansion of online gambling, as they fear it would trigger problem gambling among younger audiences. As of now, New York has regulations in place for responsible gambling, but it is assumed that these would need to be expanded to address the risks related with online casinos.
Political resistance is another challenge to overcome. Some state legislators are cautious about expanding gambling too quickly. The fear is bound to the potential of oversaturating the market, hence hurting the profitability of land-based casinos. Furthermore, the state has some powerful tribal casinos which are operating under separate regulations, and these might put up resistance against online casinos.
Technological trends
As the consumer demand for online gambling services constantly evolves, so is the technology behind online gambling services. The goal is to continuously provide enhanced user experience for more immersive and accessible digital entertainment. As of today, most players are accessing online casino platforms through their smartphones or tablets, making mobile gaming the hottest topic for developers and casino operators. Another trend which continues to increase in popularity is live dealer games, which allows players to interact with real dealers through live video feeds.
These technological trends are also expected to be similar in New York, where cutting-edge technologies are expected to be the bearing pillar of the online casino industry once legalized in the state. Not only would this enhance the gaming experience for players, but it would also open up new avenues for data collection and personalized marketing.
