Legal gambling is big business. And with downstate New York casinos on the horizon and the possibility of either NY online casinos or internet lottery (or both) in the future, everyone is pushing for a piece of the action.

In 2022, lobbyists were paid tens of millions of dollars by gaming companies, developers, tribal nations and labor unions to meet with elected officials and, presumably, influence gambling policy in NY.

According to a review of data published by the NY State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, gambling entities combined to spend over $15.8 million to lobby officials in the Empire State last year. Unions, community organizations and business advocacy groups contributed another $1.5 million toward casino or gambling-related lobbying efforts.