Former Yankee calls for action before end of session
ALBANY, N.Y. — Joe Girardi wants New York's state legislators to take a swing at sports gambling.
The former New York Yankee player and manager came to the Capitol on behalf of Major League Baseball on Wednesday to advocate for a new state law regulating betting on sports. The door was opened to sports gambling in New York earlier this month when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law that limited the states where it had been allowed.
"I think it's important for New York to be out on the forefront and get something passed ... this session. I don't think we can wait," Girardi told reporters after speaking to Senate Republicans about the issue.
He also spoke with members of the Assembly Democratic Conference, including Speaker Carl E. Heastie, who announced earlier in the day that he isn't a big fan of gambling.
Girardi said his mission is to protect the integrity of baseball for everyone involved, including the fans. On the issue of allowing sports gambling while protecting the integrity of the game, he said, "That's for the legislators and the MLB and the casinos to work out. I wouldn't know where to begin."
New York first took a stab at addressing sports gambling with language tucked into a 2013 law authorizing full-scale casinos outside the boundaries of Native-American reservations. In the event that the federal restrictions were ever struck down, the law allows full-scale casinos to offer sports gambling under rules adopted by state regulators.
There are efforts in the Legislature to adopt a comprehensive regulatory framework before the scheduled end of the legislative session on June 20.
State Sen. John Bonacic, R-Orange County, has a bill that would allow NYRA, racinos and off-track betting corporations to partner with the four full-scale casinos to provide sports gambling. The bill also provides for internet gambling, establishes tax rates and creates a fee that would be paid to professional sports leagues.
Bonacic said the inclusion of an "integrity fee" is critical to garnering the support of sports leagues for the legislation, even though the New York Gaming Association, which represents some of the gambling interests in the state, has opposed it.
"This was a compromise to get everyone on board," he said.
Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, D-Yonkers, said he would be introducing a similar bill this week.
Pretlow and Bonacic said they could work out any differences in their proposals.
"The problem I see, if any, is the governor's behavior," Bonacic said.
After the court ruling on gambling, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo argued there wasn't enough time left in the legislative session to pass comprehensive regulations this year. Bonacic rejected the idea, saying, "If there is a will to do it, it can be done."
Heastie said it would be up to his members to decide if the state Assembly will address the topic in the final 12 scheduled day of session.
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Joe... you should have brought Pete Rose along with you
Some people will bet on anything. Why not be there and make the profit from it?
Remember....the house always wins!
Please remember Charity after a major win. The poor you will always have with you and can do good to them at any time.
Good Luck!
Good one!
Although I willo say either put Pete in the HOF OR take down the casino signs at the ball parks!
If it doesn't get through the Legislature this time it will next round. New York can't have New Jersey have all the money to be made on this!
Joe chose he's words wisely..
On the issue of allowing sports gambling while protecting the integrity of the game, he said, "That's for the legislators and the MLB and the casinos to work out. I wouldn't know where to begin."
....that's coming from someone with a degree in engineering.
Good for him leaving it to others who have more expertise in a field he knows little to nothing about---gambling.
Delaware is starting their own sports gambling next week; early bird catches the worm.
Todd, what about New Jersey...I would've thought they would have been first out of the starting gate?
I just want to take a minute and say that if the Cavs loose in overtime Im gonna blame J.R smith. He dribbling the ball like we was up . Lets go cavs. As for the sports gambling I only do PB myself
Delaware will have sports betting next week and New Jersey won't be far behind. By the end of the year there should be at least 10 states with sports betting.
Delaware will have sports betting @ three casinos. Read that today.
I find it amusing that a former MLB manager is encouraging anyone, anywhere to set the standards for sports betting to "preserve the integrity of the game". Reading between the lines, I can only speculate that Mr. Girardi has knowledge of players that have and continue to bet on baseball. The only reason Pete Rose was caught is that there was no internet in his time. I can assure you that the problem is more widespread now, especially with the marginal players that aren't sure how much time they have left as a professional.
Just saw the news report about Trump and the un- invite to the Philadelphia Eagles.
For one thing, not Trump but the players who kneel are the ones with the big egos.
For another, of all sports (in the US) football is bet on the most. I smell a rat, this is an attempt to bolster interest in the NFL despite the cry baby millionaire players.
I've known plenty of people who can't watch a game they don't have money riding on.
Think about it.