Queens Casino Workers Rally Against Online Betting Bill
Nearly 700 employees of Resorts World casino in Queens, New York, are voicing strong opposition to a bill that seeks to legalize online betting in the Empire State.
The workers, under the banner of the influential Hotel & Gaming Trades Council union, have penned a letter to State Senator Joe Addabbo, criticizing the proposed legislation for potentially undermining their jobs and the brick-and-mortar casino industry.
Concerns Over Job Security
The letter from the casino workers expresses dismay over legislation that could shift gambling activities online, bypassing physical casinos and, consequently, affecting the livelihoods of thousands employed in the sector.
“When customers come to a racino, VLT parlor, or casino, they support all of our jobs,” the union’s letter stated, highlighting the potential risk to a wide range of casino-related occupations if gambling moves online.
Legislative Tensions
Senator Addabbo, chair of the Senate committee on racing, gaming, and wagering and a proponent of gaming legislation since 2019, finds himself at odds with his constituents and the local gambling workforce. The senator’s push for iGaming is seen as a move that favors a few companies at the expense of workers’ jobs, despite his assurances that online gaming could coexist with and even bolster traditional casino employment.
The debate intensifies as the senator argues that the legalization of online card games, akin to mobile sports betting, is “inevitable” and could generate substantial revenue for the state. Addabbo points to studies suggesting that online gaming could increase jobs in physical casinos and proposes setting aside funds to protect casino jobs in the face of online expansion.
Our Comment on the Controversy
The opposition from Queens casino workers to the proposed online betting legislation underscores a critical concern in the gambling industry: balancing innovation with job security. As the industry evolves, it is imperative to consider the impact of new technologies and platforms on the workforce that sustains traditional gaming establishments.
This situation calls for a nuanced approach that safeguards jobs while embracing the potential benefits of digital expansion in the gambling sector.
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