In both the state and city

New York: Barclays Center arena lobbying for legalized sports betting

Documentation shows lobbyists are being paid $7,500 monthly and have been at work since last spring.
2021-02-05
Reading time 1:11 min
The operating company of the arena that is home to the NBA's Brooklyn Nets has been putting its money down on the issue, lobbying records show.

Brooklyn Events Center, the company operating the Barclays Center arena, began lobbying last year for the approval of sports betting both in New York State and City.

The Nets and the arena have long been interested in the legalization of sports wagering; proof of that is that they have trademarked “Brooklyn Gaming” and “Bet on Brooklyn,” both of which would work nicely for in-house betting, NetsDaily reports.

Moreover, before he and Joe Tsai had a parting of the ways in November 2019, CEO David Levy laid out his vision for gambling at Flatbush and Atlantic, suggesting once New York State and City approve betting at arenas and stadiums, Barclays could have a sportsbook near its entrance and mobile sports betting from arena seats using 5G.

Now, Norman Oder of Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park reports, Brooklyn Events Center has been putting its money down on the issue, lobbying both the state and city. Both are considering legalizing sports betting to alleviate the huge deficits rolled up during the pandemic. Governor Mario Cuomo said earlier this week that sports betting could bring hundreds of millions of dollars into state coffers.

Documentation shows lobbyists are being paid $7,500 monthly and have been at work since last spring. Oder reports as well that "Madison Square Garden is also lobbying on ‘gaming,’ as well as other issues."

In addition to state and city entities, the Nets and Knicks would need to get approval from the NBA, but with league revenues hurting with no fans in attendance, that doesn’t seem like it would be much of an issue. And the prospect of gambling might lure more fans to live events.

Leave your comment
Subscribe to our newsletter
Enter your email to receive the latest news
By entering your email address, you agree to Yogonet's Condiciones de uso and Privacy Policies. You understand Yogonet may use your address to send updates and marketing emails. Use the Unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
Unsubscribe
EVENTS CALENDAR