Gov. Andrew Cuomo is eyeing a change to state law that would allow New Yorkers to wager on sporting events.
Cuomo's proposals comes as a way to help make up a multibillion-dollar budget gap due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Many states have done sports betting, but they basically allow casinos to run their own gambling operations," says Cuomo. "That makes a lot of money for casinos, but it makes minimal money for the state. I'm not here to make casinos a lot of money, I'm here to raise funds for the state."
As of now, New York residents have to venture to New Jersey to make online sports wagers.
A recent survey found that nearly 20% of New Jersey's sports wagering revenue comes from New York residents who cross into the state to place wagers.
Some residents say they're in favor of the idea.
"I would love it, there's no reason it shouldn't be legal, it's legal in every other state," says Richard Powers, of East Meadow. "It should be legal here too."
But Jeffrey Reynolds from the Family and Children's Association, an organization that provides addiction services across Long Island, says this might add to compulsive gambling problems.
"That impacts their family, finances, they go into debt, their work life and we know communities are disrupted," says Reynolds.
Reynolds say if this gets passed, he hopes New York will make sure there are help and resources available so that gambling addiction doesn't get out of hand.