Lobbying and Elections Provisions of the Casino Siting Legislation (Updated)

The Governor and Legislature have reportedly reached agreement on casino gambling enabling legislation, titled the Upstate New York Gaming Economic Development Act of 2013 (A.8101/S.5883).  This bill puts into place a process for casino licensing and siting, assuming the constitutional amendment to authorize casino gambling is approved by state voters in November.

The bill includes a few provisions that may be of interest to gaming industry lobbyists, and to current “racino” licensees.

First, the bill’s legislative intent provides that “political contributions from the casino industry will be minimized to reduce the potential of political corruption from casinos.”  But there does not appear to be any language in the bill that imposes such limitations.  Perhaps a chapter amendment will address the issue? (A chapter amendment to this bill just came out, which deletes this language.)

Second, new Racing, Pari-mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law § 1329 will require persons who lobby the state Gaming Commission “on behalf of a client or a client’s interests” to first register with the Commission, in addition to registering with the Joint Commission on Public Ethics.

Finally, under new Racing, Pari-mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law § 1330-a, any current gaming licensee who spends more than $1,000 supporting or opposing the November referendum on casino gambling must file their expenditure reports with the Gaming Commission as well as with the state Board of Elections.  The Gaming Commission is directed to promulgate regulations to implement this requirement.