TLDR New York Assemblymember Carrie Woerner says iGaming legalization is “perpetually five years out” Woerner chairs the Assembly’s committee on racing and gaming She made the comments at The Racing and Gaming Conference in Saratoga Springs Seven states currently offer licensed iGaming apps, with Nevada also allowing online poker Conference attendees predicted 10 to 20 states could offer iGaming within five years
State Assemblymember Carrie Woerner said New York is not close to legalizing online casino gambling, also known as iGaming. She spoke during a panel at The Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga Springs on Tuesday.
Woerner chairs the Assembly’s committee on racing and gaming. Her opinion carries weight because her committee would need to approve any iGaming bill before it moves forward.
When asked about the future of iGaming in New York, Woerner said it feels “perpetually five years out.” That comment suggests lawmakers are not close to reaching an agreement on the issue.
Seven states currently allow licensed iGaming apps. Nevada also allows online poker, bringing the total closer to eight.
Lawmakers Weigh Consumer Spending
Woerner pointed to economic conditions as one reason for the hesitation. She said disposable income has stalled across the country in recent years.
She explained that money spent on gambling apps is money not spent at restaurants, movies, or local stores. Lawmakers are paying attention to that tradeoff when weighing new legislation.
Unlike sports betting, iGaming has not built up strong public demand. Sports betting became legal nationwide after a 2018 Supreme Court ruling and quickly gained support from voters and bettors.
That ruling created pressure across state lines, as residents watched neighboring states offer sports betting first. Online casino games never generated that same level of public push.
Sports betting ads appeared everywhere, including television, radio, billboards, and