Australia has enacted a ban on poker machines and other forms of gambling in airports, but no such law exists in the United States. Still, American residents are speaking out again a new provision that would allow pokies to be installed at JFK Airport in New York. According to the New York Post, New York Senate has recently included a provision in its latest budget that would put poker machines in the city’s biggest airport.
The games would be located in the Departures area, where travellers spend hours waiting for flights. The decision to add pokies to the airport follows a vote in favour of new casinos in the state. Until recently, Las Vegas-style casinos were banned from the state of New York but residents have decided to open up the gambling market. The only gambling venues that were permitted were betting parlours at New York racetracks.
Now, there will be seven new casinos across New York. Now, the Senate is getting more creative in its ideas for gambling expansion. However, local residents and responsible gambling advocates are not entirely on board with the plan. “We don’t need to put slot machines in every nook and cranny — even the airport,” says New York Senator Joe Addabbo.
“This proposal will end up where a lot of other budget ideas end up — in the graveyard.” The last time this issue was faced in Australia was in 2007, when Queensland politicians wanted to add pokies to Brisbane’s airport. The Brisbane Airport Corporation wanted to provide travellers with the option of playing poker machines while they waited for their fights, attempting to overturn the country’s 10-year ban.
In the end, the ban was upheld and the issue has not been brought up since.
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