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New York’s Nov. 3 gubernatorial election could shape online casino policy, but neither candidate has committed to signing legalization legislation.
Mobile sports betting is already established in the state; online slots and table games remain unapproved.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and challenger Bruce Blakeman enter the election with records supporting land-based casino development, but without a clear commitment on statewide iGaming. Their differences over prediction-market operator Kalshi also put New York’s approach to gambling enforcement in focus, according to an Oct. 21 report from Covers.
Casino Development Support Has Not Settled the Online Question
Hochul’s administration oversaw three downstate casino license approvals in December 2025. She also signed New York’s sweepstakes casino ban that month, backing licensed casino expansion while acting against that separate gambling model.
That record has not translated into support for online casino legalization.
Blakeman supported Las Vegas Sands’ proposed redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum site, signing the original lease associated with the project in 2023. However, he has not outlined a statewide iGaming policy or committed to signing online casino legislation.
Kalshi Dispute Highlights a Separate Regulatory Divide
Hochul and Atty. Gen. Letitia James announced a lawsuit against Kalshi in July. Kalshi disputes New York’s authority over its contracts, arguing that they fall under federal regulation.
Blakeman criticized Hochul in August over her rejection of a potential revenue agreement with Kalshi, according to Covers.
The dispute raises a separate question from online casino legalization: how state gambling authority applies to federally regulated prediction-market contracts. The supplied reporting does not establish how that conflict will be resolved, and neither candidate’s casino-development record answers it.
Albany Still Holds the Key to an Online Casino Bill
The online casino and interactive lottery measure remains stalled in the Senate’s Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee and has not passed either chamber. Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. has emphasized that online casino legislation needs the governor’s support to become law.
Democrats are strongly positioned to retain control of the Senate and Assembly, according to Covers. That would leave agreement within the party central to advancing a bill.
An Emerson College Polling/PIX11 survey cited in the report put Hochul ahead 52%-40%, with 8% undecided. Prediction-market prices also favored her at the time of publication, but neither polls nor market prices determine the result—or a future gambling policy.
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Source: As reported by Covers.
