博彩译文:
The Northeast has become a hotbed for casino gambling over the past several years, but on Wednesday, an announcement by lawmakers in New York could have widespread effects on the gaming industry throughout the world. New York legislators agreed this week to allow seven new casinos in the state, a move that will likely make the state the top gaming destination on the East Coast.
Legislators agreed to amend the state Constitution to allow more than the two casinos currently permitted by law. The lawmakers vowed to begin working on the regulatory system in the 2013 legislative session, meaning other states now have less than a year to stay ahead of New York in the industry.
"We are finally confronting the reality that while New York is already in the gaming business, we need a real plan to regulate and capitalize on the industry," said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. "This is a process that will ultimately put thousands of New Yorkers to work, drive our economy, and help keep billions of dollars spent by New Yorkers on gaming in the state.
Cuomo has been pushing for casino expansion since he took office, and the debate over the issue has spanned a decade in New York. legislators have been slow to take to the idea that gambling could be a way to bring in revenue, as lawmakers have argued the negative effects would outweigh the positives.
That changed in recent years, however, as neighboring states have given the blueprint for success within the gaming industry. Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and most recently, Massachusetts have all authorized new casinos in the past year. New York is hoping they will become the premiere gaming outfit on the East Coast, but some analysts believe that vision may be shortsighted.
"If New York follows through and authorizes seven new casinos, they easily could become the second largest gaming destination in the US behind Nevada," said Gaming Analyst Brad Dawkins. "With the amount of people that come through New York each year, the casino gambling industry could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars just from high end gamblers. Throw in the average bettors, and the state could be poised to become one of the largest casino destinations in the world."
Even with the bill that passed this week, it takes two consecutive Legislature's to have the bills go in effect, and voters in the state would also have to approve the amendment. Reports have shown that New York residents are in favor of bringing more casinos to the state. For the past several decades, New Yorkers have been forced to travel to Atlantic City to do their casino gambling. |