Operator News
US – Workers at Resorts World New York see online gaming as a threat to their jobs
By Phil - 20 February 2024
Almost 700 workers at Resorts World casino at Aqueduct in Queens, New York, have united to speak out against a New York bill that would approve online gaming in the Empire State, saying it will, threaten the security of their jobs.
In a letter sent by Hotel & Gaming Trades Council union to New York Senator Joe Addabbo, the workers accuse him of ‘pushing legislation that would hurt workers like us and our industry.’
They said: “We find it appalling that you are pushing legislation that would hurt workers like us and our industry in order to benefit a handful of companies who are seeking massive profits at our expense. When customers come to a racino, VLT [Video Lottery Terminal] parlor, or casino, they support all of our jobs, including cooks, bartenders, servers, maintenance workers, and hotel workers.
“We know that if, instead, they were to game from their homes, workplaces, or elsewhere, their dollars would go straight into the pockets of gaming companies, rather than to support the livelihoods of thousands of New Yorkers who support the state’s gaming industry,” the workers said.
Bhav Tibrewal, Political Director of the union, added: “This iGaming proposal undercuts the best thing about casino gaming in New York: permanent, high-quality jobs that New Yorkers can live and retire on. We’ve stated and re-stated our opposition to iGaming to Senator Addabbo and now it’s time for him and other legislators to start hearing it directly from casino workers.”
Senator Joe Addabbo has been pushing for online gaming legislation since 2019. He recently reintroduced Senate Bill 856 in an effort to bring the debate back to the fore.
