What's happening
This bill allows the New York Gaming Commission to raise the limit on free play credits at video lottery facilities if it benefits the state.
Why it matters
Gives the Gaming Commission more flexibility to adjust free play credit limits at video lottery facilities, potentially allowing them to respond more quickly to market conditions or competition from neighboring states.
Could be used as a tool to attract more customers or retain existing ones at specific facilities, if the Commission believes this would increase overall state revenue from gaming.
Empowers the Commission to make case-by-case decisions, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all cap, which could help struggling facilities or allow targeted promotions that benefit the state.
May impact the amount of tax revenue the state receives from video lottery operations, as changes to free play policies can influence both player behavior and the net proceeds remitted to the state.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow More Free Play Credits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- Ordered to third reading cal.2050
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Print number 6647b
- Amend and recommit to finance
- Print number 6647a
- Amend and recommit to finance
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Increase Free Play Limits
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Carrie Woerner
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6647--B
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 9, 2017
Introduced by Sens. HELMING, GALLIVAN, MARCHIONE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules -- recommitted to the Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee on Finance -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the tax law, in relation to the percentage of free play allowance credits
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph 3 of subdivision i of section 1617-a of the tax law, as amended by section 1 of part SS of chapter 60 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
(3) For each video lottery facility, the annual value of the free play allowance credits authorized for use by the operator pursuant to this subdivision shall not exceed an amount equal to fifteen percent of the total amount wagered on video lottery games after payout of prizes. The gaming commission shall establish procedures to assure that free play allowance credits do not exceed such amount. However, the commission may, at the commission's discretion, authorize an increase to the above limitation for individual video lottery facilities, upon illustration of benefit to the state.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13147-04-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the tax law, in relation to the percentage of free play allowance credits
Purpose
This bill would allow for parity of free play levels between video lottery terminal facilities and commercial casinos when a free play allowance increase is given to a commercial casino within its respective market.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 1617-a of the tax law to provide that the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance, at the New York State Gaming Commission's discretion, may authorize an increase in the current limi- tation for individual video lottery facilities, upon illustration of benefit to the state.
Section 2 provides for an immediate effective date.
Justification
Given the increased competitive landscape with the introduction of commercial casinos into several existing gaming markets in New York State, it has become critical for affected video lottery terminal (VLT) facilities to be on the same playing field with equivalent marketing tools.
Currently, free play levels at VLT facilities are set by statute while free play levels at commercial casinos are set by the New York State Gaming Commission. Both rates are currently set at 15% of net machine revenues.
This bill would authorize the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance, at the New York State Gaming Commission's discretion, to authorize an increase in the current limitation for individual video lottery facili- ties, upon illustration of benefit to the state.
Legislative history
S.6647-A died in Rules.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.