About 700 Queens casino workers push through a bill to legalize online gambling in the Empire State, calling it an attack on their jobs.
Employees at Resorts World Casino in Suidobashi signed a letter criticizing state Sen. Joe Addabbo, who has been pushing the gaming bill since 2019.
The letter, sent on the influential Hotel & Hotels & Hotels letterhead, said, “I think it’s appalling that they’re pushing a bill that hurts us and workers like our industry just so they can do that.” Game Trade Council Labor Union.
This is an unusual rebuke from within New York’s gaming industry for the Democrat who chairs the Senate Horse Racing, Gambling and Gaming Committee.
Resorts World’s properties are adjacent to Addabbo’s district, where many of the workers represented by the union are his constituents.
The bottom line, employees said, is that people who bet online don’t visit or spend money at brick-and-mortar casinos.
“When customers come to the racino, VLT [Video Lottery Terminal] “They support all of our jobs, not just parlors and casinos, but cooks, bartenders, servers, maintenance workers, hotel workers, and more,” the union’s letter said.
“Instead, we remind them that when they play games at home or at work, that money goes straight into the pockets of gaming companies, rather than supporting the livelihoods of the thousands of New Yorkers who support our state’s gaming industry.” I know,” the workers added.
The union’s political director Babu Tibulwal said it was time to up the ante with Mr Addabbo.
“This iGaming proposal would undermine what is best about casino gaming in New York: high-quality, permanent jobs that allow New Yorkers to live and retire,” Tibrewal said. has repeatedly voiced his opposition to iGaming to Senator Addabbo, and now it is time for him and other senators to start hearing directly from casino workers.”
According to campaign records, Addabbo received 35 campaign contributions totaling $77,100 from iGaming companies and affiliates, including Draft Kings and Fan Duel.
Adado defended the I-Gaming bill, saying the legalization of online card games, similar to mobile sports betting, is “inevitable.” He said surrounding states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut already allow iGaming.
“The question is not when, but when,” he told the Post Sunday newspaper, arguing that legalizing gaming would generate between $800 million and $1 billion a year in revenue.
He also argued that online gaming would increase jobs at brick-and-mortar casinos, not decrease them, and pointed to research that supports that position. He said the bill would set aside $25 million a year to protect casino jobs, while giving online dealers union representation.
“My constituents work there. Why cannibalize the jobs?” he said.
The backlash comes as Malaysia-based Genting, owner of Resorts World New York in Aqueduct, has announced a formal bid to win one of three full casino licenses in the downstate area. This happened just as we were planning to submit and also be able to offer live table games. VLT, or as an electronic gaming device.
When it opened more than a decade ago, Aqueduct’s Resorts World NY envisioned expanding to include table games. They have already opened a hotel where players can stay.
