16 APRIL 22, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
NYC’s #1 Source for Political & Election News
Addabbo hails mobile sports betting inclusion in state budget
BY BILL PARRY
BPARRY@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
Queens residents will soon be able to wager on
sporting events online under legislation included
in the massive $212 billion state budget.
State Senator Joseph Addabbo hopes the legalization
of mobile sports betting begins before next year’s
Super Bowl, an eff ort he’s worked on for the past two
years.
By legalizing mobile sports betting, New York state
is expected to bring in around $99 million in fi scal
year 2021-2022 — revenue that would be especially
valuable since New York has experienced a major
economic defi cit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, millions of dollars in revenue and educational
funding are fl owing to the New Jersey and
illegal sports betting markets, and New York stands
to gain much of that revenue with this legislation.
Plus, Addabbo’s offi ce estimates that the revenue will
continue to grow: his offi ce predicts $357 million in
fi scal year 2022-2023 and over $500 million in fi scal
year 2025-2026, most of which will fund education
across the state.
Mobile sports betting will allow people to place wagers
on sporting events through their mobile phones
or other internet-connected devices.
“We were already facing a budget defi cit before the
COVID-19 pandemic, so we needed to fi nd additional
revenue streams for the state,” Addabbo said. “There
was no way out of the hole we found ourselves in.
State Senator Joseph Addabbo hopes mobile
sports betting begins in New York before next
year’s Super Bowl. Photo via Flickr
Legalizing mobile sports betting will bring in the
funds needed by the state that will go towards funding
our education system, problem gambling awareness
programs and creating jobs.”
New Yorkers are already placing mobile sports
bets, but they are either going to the illegal market
or quickly traveling to neighboring states where it
is legal to do so. A study found that in 2019, New York
residents wagered $837 million in New Jersey on
sports bets. Addabbo noted that not only was New
York losing revenue to these other outlets, but individuals
with gaming addiction issues were not getting
the help they needed.
“When New York residents travel to other states or
participate in the illegal market to place sports wagers,
there is no way for us to identify and help them
should they have a gaming addiction,” said Addabbo,
who serves as chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and
Wagering Committee. “By safely legalizing mobile
sports betting, New York can better recognize and
assist those with a gambling problem, with the help
of over one dozen safeguards and measures written
into the bill’s language.”
The state Gaming Commission is to start the creation
of the mobile sports betting process and begin to accept
bids from sportsbook providers in July. Addobbo
hopes to see mobile sports betting fully functional in
New York by the next Super Bowl in 2022.
According to the New Jersey Division of Gaming
Enforcement, Garden State residents bet $117 million
on last year’s Super Bowl, an increase of 116 percent
from last year’s $54 million in bets on the big game.
This year’s total brought New Jersey more than $11
million in revenue.
While it is not currently known exactly how many
of those bets were placed online, in December 2020
bettors wagered more than 93 percent of New Jersey’s
betting handle through online sites.
“While we already have in-person legal sports betting
here in New York, it is clear that states that allow
for mobile sports wagering are far more successful,”
Addabbo said.
Van Bramer endorses Juan Ardila for City Council District 30
BY DEAN MOSES
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
The New York City primary is just
two months away, and candidates
are storming through the
campaign trail garnering endorsements
and boasting their platform.
The latest backing comes from New
York City Council Deputy Leader and
Queens Borough President candidate,
Jimmy Van Bramer, who told Schneps
Media that he is endorsing Juan Ardila
for City Council District 30.
The incumbent, Councilman Robert
Holden has held the seat since 2017,
which covers Glendale, Maspeth,
Middle Village, Ridgewood, Woodhaven,
and Woodside. Throughout
his tenure, Holden, who has lived in
Middle Village for several decades,
has been a staunch advocate for
the Juniper Park Civic Association,
pushed back against the placement of
homeless shelters within community
districts and has been fi ghting against
homelessness and crime throughout
New York City. He has also been opposed
to the mayor’s decision to cut
the NYPD’s budget.
“It doesn’t make any difference,
because the voters know that Council
member Holden has donated most of
his adult life to serving this district in
various capacities, as well as launching
the careers of thousands of young
people as an educator,” said Kevin
Ryan, a spokesperson for Holden’s
offi ce. “His record is unmatched in
NYC politics and he’s enormously
popular in these neighborhoods.”
Ardila is a first-generation New
Yorker and grew up in Maspeth. If
elected, he would be the fi rst Latino
chosen for that seat. His stance is focused
on inclusivity and promises to
not leave anyone behind.
“I am thrilled to endorse Juan Ardila
for City Council District 30 as we fi ght
for a Queens that works for all of us!
Ardila will be a vocal champion in the
Council for aff ordable housing, education
equity, small businesses, and
working families,” Van Bramer said.
Both Van Bramer and Ardila have
had their boots on the ground meeting
with local business and speaking with
Queens working families. Much of
their discussions have focused on rent
control, pandemic relief — especially
providing paid sick leave for essential
“gig workers” — and protections for
small businesses.
Juan Ardila (l.) with Jimmy Van Bramer. Courtesy of Van Bramer’s offi ce
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