NYS Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara: Time To Permit Mobile Sports Betting

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Ian Pickus

Published December 27, 2020 at 1:07 PM EST

The Rivers Sportsbook opened with 14 kiosks.

It’s no secret that New York state is facing a fiscal emergency in 2021. With revenues sharply down because of the coronavirus pandemic and federal relief left out of the latest COVID package, legislative leaders are discussing raising taxes on the wealthy to help plug a $15 billion shortfall.

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbra with Muffy

Democratic state Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has another idea: legalize mobile sports betting, allowing New Yorkers to gamble from their cell phones instead of only inside a casino. Santabarbara, from the 111th district, spoke with WAMC’s Ian Pickus.

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Ian Pickus

A lifelong resident of the Capital Region, Ian joined WAMC in 2008 and became news director in 2013. He began working on Morning Edition and has produced The Capitol Connection, produced and hosted the Congressional Corner, and several other WAMC programs. Ian can also be heard as the host of the WAMC News Podcast and on The Roundtable and newscasts. Ian holds a BA in English and journalism and an MA in English, both from the University at Albany, where he has taught journalism since 2013.

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