File #: Res 1165-2005    Version: * Name: Amend or repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on State and Federal Legislation
On agenda: 9/28/2005
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon Governor Pataki and the New York State Legislature to request that the United States Congress amend or repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act to allow states to legalize betting on sporting events, and further calling upon the United States Congress to change this law so that New York State can legalize betting on sporting events and use all revenue generated from this activity for education funding.
Sponsors: Tony Avella, Philip Reed, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Lewis A. Fidler, Larry B. Seabrook, Kendall Stewart
Council Member Sponsors: 6

Res. No. 1165

 

Resolution calling upon Governor Pataki and the New York State Legislature to request that the United States Congress amend or repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act to allow states to legalize betting on sporting events, and further calling upon the United States Congress to change this law so that New York State can legalize betting on sporting events and use all revenue generated from this activity for education funding.

 

 By Council Members Avella, Reed, Comrie, Fidler, Seabrook and Stewart

 

Whereas, According to the New York State District Attorney’s Offices in both Kings and Queens Counties, illegal sports betting generates more than $100 billion a year nationwide, and between $15 and $30 billion a year in New York City alone; and

                     Whereas, Currently, The federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act bars states from legalizing sports gambling; and

                     Whereas, However, legalizing and regulating this industry could provide states with large amounts of revenue that could be used to provide much needed funding for various services, such as education; and  

Whereas, According to the Partnership for New York City, if such gambling were legalized, New York State could gain as much as $1.9 billion a year in revenue; and

Whereas, In addition, the regulation of sports betting would drastically reduce profits for organized crime; and

Whereas, In 1982, the New York State Legislature sought to achieve similar goals when it created Off -Track Betting; and

 Whereas, Strong gaming control regulations would help to abate any concerns regarding game fixing and other potential abuses; and

Whereas, Legalizing sports betting in New York would be an opportunity to diminish a serious organized crime enterprise and provide critical funds for education; and                     

Whereas, The thrust of legislation to legalize sports betting should be regulation, not promotion, and a call for intervention by local, state and federal governments to address the issue of gambling addiction should be included in any legislative proposals; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon Governor Pataki and the New York State Legislature to request that the United States Congress amend or repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act to allow states to legalize betting on sporting events, and further calls upon the United States Congress to change this law so that New York State can legalize betting on sporting events and use all revenue generated from this activity for education funding.

 

 

 

LS # 2186

JP 8/3/05