Three Months and Still Waiting
Back in June, New York lawmakers overwhelmingly approved Sen. Joe Addabbo’s S5935, a bill that would slam the brakes on sweepstakes casinos in the Empire State. The Senate passed it in a 57–2 landslide, and the Assembly followed with strong support just days later.
And yet, the bill is still collecting dust on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country hasn’t slowed down. Connecticut and Montana already signed bans into law this year. New Jersey’s Gov. Phil Murphy inked his version in mid-August. California piled on in September.
Addabbo hoped Murphy’s move would push Hochul over the line. So far? Nothing.
Addabbo’s Nudge to Hochul
In a phone interview, Addabbo admitted he even sent the Jersey news clippings straight to Hochul’s team:
“When the New Jersey governor signed their version of the sweepstakes ban, I sent that article to my contact in the governor’s office, saying, ‘Hey, Jersey’s governor signed it. How about it?’ But we’re waiting.”
New York has the bill, the votes, and the momentum. The only missing piece is Hochul’s pen, and Addabbo is making sure she knows it.
What the Bill Actually Does
Addabbo’s bill isn’t a half-measure, it’s a full-on crackdown. If signed, it would:
- Ban dual-currency sweeps casinos (Gold Coins for play, Sweeps Coins for prizes).
- Apply to casino-style, lottery-style, and sports-betting-style games.
- Target not just operators but also suppliers, payment processors, and affiliates.
- Carve out exemptions for everyday promotions (think McDonald’s Monopoly or Starbucks Rewards).
- Hand enforcement to the NY Gaming Commission, state police, and Attorney General.
So, if Hochul signs, sweeps operators in New York won’t just be unwelcome but criminalized.
The AG Didn’t Wait
Even without Hochul’s signature, New York’s Attorney General Letitia James went on offense. Her office declared online sweeps casinos “not welcome” and fired off 26 cease-and-desist letters.
The fallout was fast:
- High 5 Casino bailed.
- McLuck pulled out.
- Hello Millions exited.
- VGW (behind Chumba, LuckyLand, and Global Poker) shut the door, too.
As Addabbo put it:
“Some of them saw us pass the legislation, saw the Attorney General’s office getting involved, and left on their own.”
Prohibit Now, Regulate Later
Addabbo isn’t just the “ban sweeps guy.” He’s long been one of New York’s biggest gambling expansion voices. He helped legalize mobile sports betting, championed Resorts World NYC, and keeps trying to push iGaming across the finish line.
His stance is simple:
- Step 1: Ban sweepstakes casinos because they’re unregulated and unsafe.
- Step 2: Legalize and regulate iGaming, so players have a safe, taxable alternative.
Or, in his words:
“The best thing we can do for the state is regulate. Banning sweeps, yes, but ultimately legalizing iGaming to replace the illegal market with a safe product.”
So Why the Delay?
Officially, her office says she’ll “review the bill.”
Unofficially? A few things could be at play:
- Election-year jitters — does she want to pick a fight with players and tribes right now?
- Industry pushback — sweeps operators and lobbyists are whispering hard in Albany.
- Bigger picture questions — does New York slam the brakes on sweeps before it greenlights legal iGaming?
But here’s the kicker: with New Jersey, Connecticut, Montana, and California already moving, Hochul’s delay looks less like caution and more like stalling.
What Happens If Hochul Signs?
New York would officially join the sweeps-free states club alongside California, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Montana.
That means:
- Operators like VGW, McLuck, and others are locked out for good.
- Suppliers and affiliates face the same criminal penalties as operators.
- Addabbo scores a political win and a springboard for his bigger goal: full iGaming regulation.
- Players lose access to sweeps but might finally get a stronger push toward safe, regulated casinos.
And if Hochul doesn’t sign? Sweeps limp along under AG crackdowns, leaving New Yorkers stuck between gray-market sweeps and offshore sites.
Bottom line: New Jersey’s governor inked the ban. California just did too. New York’s bill is already baked and ready. The only real question here is: does Hochul want to lead, or lag?
Blaise Luis
