What's happening
This bill allows the New York Gaming Commission to raise the free play credit limit for video lottery facilities if it benefits the state.
Why it matters
Potential for Increased Revenue. By allowing the Gaming Commission to raise the free play credit limit for individual facilities, the state could incentivize higher player engagement and visitation, potentially boosting overall wagering and, as a result, tax revenues.
Selective Application and Oversight. The commission can adjust the limit on a case-by-case basis, meaning changes would only occur if a facility demonstrates that raising the cap would benefit the state, ensuring a targeted approach rather than a blanket increase.
Competitive Positioning. This flexibility could help New York’s video lottery facilities better compete with gaming establishments in neighboring states that might offer more aggressive promotions, helping to retain gaming dollars within New York.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Raise Casino Free Play Limit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
- Referred to racing, gaming and wagering
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 Casino Free Play
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
3812
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. HELMING -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering
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.
LBD01234-01-9
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.
Prior legislative history
2018: S.6647-B passed Senate/A.9526-B died in Ways and Means. S017: S.6647 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.