New York Casino Regulations: Could Age Requirements Change for Video Lottery Terminals?

As state lawmakers debate new regulations for the gaming industry, discussions regarding the legal age to play on video lottery terminals inside New York casinos could soon intensify. As state lawmakers debate new regulations for the gaming industry, discussions regarding the legal age to play on video lottery terminals inside New York casinos could soon intensify, especially if a powerful state senator gets his way.

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A New Proposal to Raise the Minimum Age for VLTs

This week, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-Queens) introduced Senate Bill 2610. The legislation would prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from gambling inside the Empire State.

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The Current Law and Its Impact

Under current law, anyone aged 18 and older can access New York’s more than 17,600 video lottery terminals (VLTs) located at nine racinos and off-track betting facilities across the state. VLTs are slot-like machines and electronic table gaming products that are linked to a centralized lottery system maintained by the New York State Gaming Commission.

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The Proposed Legislation

SB2610 would not raise the age to play the New York Lottery, which remains at 18. However, the minimum age to play Quick Draw, a keno-based game drawn every four minutes played at watering holes and small businesses where alcohol is served, is 21.

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A History of Attempts to Raise the Age

Four casinos have since opened upstate — del Lago Resort and Casino, Resorts World Catskills, Rivers Casino Schenectady, and Tioga Downs. Patrons must show proof that they’re at least 21 years old before they can access those gaming floors.

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The Benefits of Raising the Age

Increasing the age for VLT play would presumably cut into maximizing educational aid. However, with mobile sports betting thriving in New York — today, the country’s richest sports betting market — more support for increasing the video lottery age to 21 might be realized.

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The Impact of Video Lottery Terminals on Education

Though the VLT centralized system is maintained by the New York Gaming Commission, the revenue the games generate is considered part of the New York Lottery, with all proceeds going to aid public education.

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Trends in Video Lottery Benefits Education

During the 2023-24 fiscal year, which ran April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024, VLTs kept about $2.4 billion of the more than $39.5 billion wagered. The state’s education contribution from the net win amounted to more than $1 billion.

Empire City accounted for the most education revenue at $310.8 million. Resorts World NYC was next at $281.4 million and Jake’s 58 was third at $128.9 million.

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A Growing Market for Mobile Sports Betting

The Commission aspires to provide the regulatory structure necessary for New York gaming activity to operate effectively in a global, evolving, and increasingly competitive marketplace to generate revenue for aid to education and for the support of government, and to contribute to overall economic development and job creation in New York,” the mission statement of the New York Gaming Commission reads.

Increasing the age for VLT play would presumably cut into maximizing educational aid. However, with mobile sports betting thriving in New York — today, the country’s richest sports betting market — more support for increasing the video lottery age to 21 might be realized.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, raising the minimum age for VLTs in New York could have significant implications for education and gaming. With mobile sports betting on the rise, it will be interesting to see how lawmakers respond to this proposal. Only time will tell if Addabbo’s SB2610 will become a reality.

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