It’s a no-lose proposition for New York politicians.
Gambling interests have donated $3.2 million to Gov. Cuomo, the Legislature and Democratic and GOP committees since 2011, the good-government group Common Cause reported Monday.
And the pace of contributions quickened as a Nov. 5 referendum on Vegas-like casinos in the state neared. Democrats who control the state Assembly pulled in $414,760. Republicans who dominate in the Senate walked off with $403,760.
Other recipients were Cuomo ($361,500), chairs of Senate and Assembly racing committees ($86,806 and $64,659, respectively) and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman ($129,500).
“The problem is that the rules of the game are stacked against average voters, and the house always wins,” said Common Cause director Susan Lerner.
Nearly half of the $3.2 million came from the state’s horse-track “racinos,” including Genting’s Resort World NY at Aqueduct and Yonkers’ Empire City. Upstate tribal-casino interests added about $1 million, while other racing and gambling entities contributed the rest.