{"id":18601,"date":"2018-12-08T06:00:49","date_gmt":"2018-12-08T07:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/?p=18601"},"modified":"2018-12-08T11:57:12","modified_gmt":"2018-12-08T11:57:12","slug":"new-york-lawmaker-would-trade-online-poker-for-sports-betting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/new-york-lawmaker-would-trade-online-poker-for-sports-betting\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Lawmaker Would Trade Online Poker For Sports Betting"},"content":{"rendered":"

A key New York<\/strong><\/a> lawmaker\u00a0is willing to sacrifice\u00a0one form of gaming if it means introducing sports betting<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

NY Assemblyman Gary Pretlow<\/strong> told Online Poker Report<\/em> <\/a>on Tuesday that he would give up his pursuit for online poker<\/strong> if it meant his constituents would be on board with sports betting.<\/p>\n

Here is what Pretlow is saying:<\/p>\n

\u201cI would give up online poker for sports betting. If I had to make a choice, I would choose this over online poker just because the revenue stream is so much better doing this than online poker.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To be clear, Pretlow is not pushing for an either-or scenario. According to OPR<\/em>, when it comes to priorities going into the 2019 legislative session<\/strong>, Pretlow views sports betting as higher on the list<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Online poker\u00a0sacrifice<\/span><\/h2>\n

As Chairman of the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee<\/strong>, Pretlow has been on a three-year crusade<\/strong> attempting to pass online poker legislation.<\/p>\n

In 2016, the NY Senate was able to fulfill their side of the bargain and pass online poker legislation. However, Pretlow was unable to convince his colleagues that poker was a game of skill.<\/p>\n

Troubles rolled over to 2017 when Pretlow had concerns over geolocation and anti-cheating technology<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

By the end of the 2018 legislative session, Pretlow managed to get 51 Assembly members<\/strong> to co-sponsor an online poker bill. However, the NY Senate failed to pass their version of a bill<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Sports betting\u00a0revenue<\/span><\/h2>\n

The billion-dollar sports betting industry gives Pretlow a bit of leverage.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnline poker, I think the revenue for the state is projected at $20-25 million, while (sports betting) is $150 million minimum. I have a much better argument for sports betting,\u201d Pretlow told OPR.<\/p>\n

Neighboring New Jersey<\/strong> has continued to reap the benefits of legalized sports wagering.<\/p>\n

According to figures from the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement<\/strong><\/a>, the Garden State has seen:<\/p>\n