LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION urging the New York State Congressional deleg-
ation to lift the federal ban on sports wagering

WHEREAS, Since January 1, 1993, the federal "Professional and Amateur
Sports Protection Act," 28 U.S.C.ss.3701 et seq., has prohibited states
and local governments from authorizing sports wagering; and
WHEREAS, Under the terms of the federal law, Nevada is the only state
where sports wagering is legally permitted, and this activity has
resulted in great direct and indirect revenues to that state's economy;
and
WHEREAS, According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, about $94.5
million was legally wagered in Nevada on the 2006 Super Bowl game only,
and the 2006 Super Bowl weekend generated about $102.4 million in non-
gaming economic impact as the game attracted 285,000 visitors to Las
Vegas; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that Nevada's legal sports wagering repres-
ents less than 1% of all sports wagering nationwide; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission
and the New York State District Attorney's Office in Kings County, ille-
gal sports wagering amounts to about $380 billion each year nationwide
and approximately $38 billion a year in New York City alone; and
WHEREAS, The federal sports wagering ban is not effective in curbing
illegal sport gambling, so lifting the ban on sports wagering would
allow state gaming enforcement agencies to properly regulate and police
this activity; and
WHEREAS, State regulation of professional and collegiate sports
betting would drastically reduce profits for organized crime as was the
intent of the New York State Legislature in 1982 when it sought to
achieve similar goals in creating Off-Track Betting; and
WHEREAS, Strong gaming control regulations would help to abate any
concerns regarding game fixing and other potential abuses; and
WHEREAS, The legalization of sports wagering would regulate this
industry and provide billions of dollars per year in revenue to the
state which could be used to provide much needed funding for education;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to repeal
the federal ban on sports wagering; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to each member of the Congressional delegation from the State of
New York.