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 stadiums. That heavy advertising eventually became a source of frustration for some lawmakers and residents.
Reports of underage gambling access also raised concerns among officials. Lawmakers worry that iGaming advertising could follow the same pattern that sports betting ads did.
Growth Expected to Stay Slow
During the panel, more than 200 attendees were asked how many states might offer iGaming within the next five years. Most picked a range between 10 and 20 states.
That range suggests only a small number of new states may join the current group anytime soon. It is far from a fast national rollout.
Most states offering iGaming today are located in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. That clustering makes quick nationwide growth less likely.
Virginia came close to passing iGaming legislation this year but fell short. Some expect the state could try again in 2027.
Maryland, Indiana, and Washington D.C. have also been mentioned as possible future candidates for iGaming legislation.
For now, New York is not expected to move forward on the issue. Woerner’s comments confirm that any change there remains far off.
