News Press

Partnership, Longtime Supporter of Legalized Sports Betting, Applauds Governor Cuomo’s Announcement

January 06, 2021

PRESS INQUIRIES

Katy Feinberg
press@pfnyc.org

“The Partnership commends Governor Cuomo’s decision to prioritize legalizing mobile sports betting, and the advocacy of Assemblymember Pretlow and Senator Addabbo,” said Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City. “In 2005, the Partnership released a short study calling for legalization of sports betting, not simply as a source of new tax revenues, but to reduce illegal betting that financed organized crime and fueled the underground economy to the tune of at least $30 billion a year. Properly regulated, sports betting is an appropriate source of revenues and entertainment and there is no reason that New Yorkers should not enjoy those benefits as much as other states that have subsequently legalized the practice. Hopefully, approval of a competitive process to authorize the development of three casinos in New York City will follow, with a similar rationale, but also adding the creation of thousands of new jobs in the hotel and entertainment industries that have been devastated by the pandemic.”