New York iGaming Bill Dead for 2026 Session

New York state Senator Joe Addabbo knows how to read the writing on the wall. He’s not done trying on making his New York iGaming bill a reality, but he knows it’s not going to happen in 2026.

The state legislature closes on June 4, and Addabbo (D-Queens) admitted that’s not enough time to get the votes he needs for Senate Bill 2614. If Gov. Kathy Hochul supported the bill, Addabbo believes he might be able to get it to the finish line. But without that, it’s not going to get enough votes to withstand her veto.

Instead, Addabbo is likely to try again with a new version of SB 2614 in 2027. He did something similar this year: SB 2614 is essentially a reboot of a New York iGaming bill from 2025. Addabbo has introduced legislation four years in a row, and he will likely keep doing so until iGaming comes to the Empire State.

But with Hochul becoming a strong favorite to win re-election, Addabbo’s efforts might be in for a long wait.

Why is There a Push For a New York iGaming Bill?

Per Addabbo, the state needs new revenue to come in. According to state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, New York faces a deficit of $34 billion over the next three years. New York takes in around $2.5 billion a year from legal sports betting, and Addabbo believes that iGaming could be an even more lucrative source of income for the Empire State.

State law requires sports betting revenue to be used for education in New York. But New York iGaming has never been legalized, leaving any revenue from that free to be used for any projects.

“It’s a new product for us, that money is not allocated for anything at this point.” Addabbo said. “Do you need money for health care because of the federal budget cuts in Washington, do you need money for transportation, do you need money for veterans?”

It’s unclear how much revenue New York could expect from legalizing iGaming. Neighbor New Jersey offers some idea, as the Garden State is on pace to take in about $3 billion from iGaming this year. New York has double the population of New Jersey, and the Empire State took in $2.55 billion in sports betting revenue last year, more than double New Jersey’s $1.18 billion.

If New York iGaming posted similar numbers, it would bring in about $19 billion over three years, making up more than 50% of the state’s three-year deficit. That would dwarf Addabbo’s projections, as he has projected $475 million per year.

What Is Hochul’s Position on New York iGaming?

The governor’s stance appears somewhere between ambivalent to opposed. She has not taken any official stance publicly, but she made clear she’s not a supporter by leaving iGaming out of her budget two years ago.

However, Hochul doesn't oppose all forms of gambling. New York approved licenses for three brick-and-mortar casinos in New York City, which would open over the next four years. That includes a renovation of Resorts World in Queens, which sits in Addabbo’s district.

That, plus being part of the same party, has Addabbo willing to wait and work with Hochul. Working together is likely a necessity, as Democrats control both chambers of the New York legislature. While they could override Hochul in the New York general assembly without Republican support, they would be one vote short in the New York senate.

Will New York iGaming Come Up in the November Elections?

It’s possible. Hochul is running for re-election to a second full term, and her likely opponent is Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Blakeman openly tried to win one of the three licenses for Nassau County, but fell short. Instead, Queens and the Bronx won the licenses.

If he’s elected, New York iGaming becomes much more plausible. However, Blakeman is a decided underdog. New York has not elected a Republican for governor since George Pataki in 2002.