What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow wagering on professional and college sports at certain racetracks, simulcast theaters, and casinos in New York.
Why it matters
Expands legal gambling options. in New York, potentially generating significant new revenue for the state by allowing betting on both professional and college sports—not just traditional horse racing or state lotteries.
Targets education funding. by requiring that net proceeds from this new form of sports wagering be used exclusively to support education in New York, which could help address budget gaps or enhance school funding.
Restricts betting locations. to existing racetracks, simulcast theaters, and constitutionally authorized casinos, which could boost business at these venues but also limits proliferation of betting sites.
Raises questions about oversight and integrity. , as the amendment directs the legislature to enact laws to prevent related offenses—meaning future debates and regulations will shape how problems like match-fixing, underage gambling, and addiction are addressed.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Legalize Sports and College Betting
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to racing and wagering
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5438
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Racing and Wagering
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 9 of article 1 of the constitution, in relation to authorizing gambling on professional sporting events and athletic events sponsored by universities or colleges
Section 1. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That subdivision 1 of section 9 of article 1 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
1. No law shall be passed abridging the rights of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government, or any department thereof; nor shall any divorce be granted otherwise than by due judicial proceedings; except as hereinafter provided, no lottery or the sale of lottery tickets, pool-selling, book-making, or any other kind of gambling, except lotteries operated by the state and the sale of lottery tickets in connection therewith as may be authorized and prescribed by the legislature, the net proceeds of which shall be applied exclusively to or in aid or support of education in this state as the legislature may prescribe, except pari-mutuel betting on horse races as may be prescribed by the legislature and from which the state shall derive a reasonable revenue for the support of government, and except casino gambling at no more than seven facilities as authorized and prescribed by the legislature shall hereafter be authorized or allowed within this state; and except wagering on professional sporting events and athletic events sponsored by universities or colleges at betting facilities located at thoroughbred and harness racetracks operating in this state, in simulcast theaters operated by off-track betting corporations and in any constitutionally authorized casino facility, as may be prescribed by the legislature, the net proceeds of which shall be applied exclusively to or in aid or support of education in this state as the legislature may prescribe, and the legislature shall pass appropriate laws to prevent offenses against any of the provisions of this section.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89012-01-7
A. 5438 2
§ 2. Resolved (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.