BILL NUMBER: S3589
SPONSOR: HELMING
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the tax law, in relation to the percentage of free play
allowance credits
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would allow for parity of free play levels between video
lottery terminal facilities and commercial casinos when a free play
allowance increase is given to a commercial casino within its respective
market.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends section 1617-a of the tax law to provide that the
Commissioner of Taxation and Finance, at the New York State Gaming
Commission's discretion, may authorize an increase in the current limi-
tation for individual video lottery facilities, upon illustration of
benefit to the state.
Section 2: Provides for an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Given the increased competitive landscape with the introduction of
commercial casinos into several existing gaming markets in New York
State, it has become critical for affected video lottery terminal (VLT)
facilities to be on the same playing field with equivalent marketing
tools.
Currently, free play levels at VLT facilities are set by statute while
free play levels at commercial casinos are set by the New York State
Gaming Commission. Both rates are currently set at 15% of net machine
revenues.
This bill would authorize the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance, at
the New York State Gaming Commission's discretion, to authorize an
increase in the current limitation for individual video lottery facili-
ties, upon illustration of benefit to the state.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022: S.2577 referred to Racing, Gaming and Wagering/A.2605
referred to Ways and Means
2019-2020: S.3812 referred to Racing, Gaming and Wagering/A.1523
referred to Ways and Means 2018: S.6647-B passed Senate/A.9526-B amend
and recommit to Ways and Means
2017: S.6647 referred to Rules
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become law.

Statutes affected:
S3589: 1617-a tax law, 1617-a(i) tax law