Mayor Eric Adams signed legislation allowing sports organizations in New York City to use their venues to collect donations for charity in an effort to promote charitable initiatives. The new rule allows sporting venues such as Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, and Madison Square Garden to conduct raffles and other ‘games of chance’, broadening the possibility for partnership between sports organizations and charitable causes.
Creating a Level Playing Field for Philanthropy
Previously, only charities could hold particular games with rewards granted based on winning numbers, colors, symbols, or other specified criteria. Mayor Adams acknowledged his happiness with the current legislation, noting, “We have now taken it from the minor leagues of the small organizations to the big leagues of our professional sporting events in the city.” This is a huge victory.”
Following in the footsteps of other places that have long permitted gambling, New York City intends to use athletic events to raise significant cash for charity. During the previous season, the Los Angeles Rams, for example, raised approximately $2 million for charity. The new rule allows sports venues to hold charitable raffles during professional or collegiate events, beginning two hours before the game and lasting until the game’s conclusion.
Charity Raffles with Generous Prize Pools
The authorized 50-50 raffles can provide up to $300,000 in rewards per game. The ticket holder will receive half of the revenue, while the other half will be donated to a non-profit charitable organization. The bill’s proponent, New York Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr., stated that while the state already enables 50-50 charitable raffles at sporting venues across the state, New York City has been hampered by obsolete local restrictions.
Salamanca said, “With the introduction of 50/50 fan raffles in New York City sporting venues, we have paved the way for sports teams to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities each season. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this new initiative will bring to our city.”
Non-Profit Missions Get a Boost
Maria-Torres Springer, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, emphasized the importance of the monies raised through philanthropic activities, which will aid non-profit organizations in their missions. The financial donations from these events will help further the objectives of various non-profit organizations, ranging from serving hot meals to senior individuals to offering after-school activities for children.
Yankee Stadium is expected to host the launch
The Yankees’ President, Randy Levine, expressed enthusiasm for the approved adjustments and disclosed that philanthropic giveaways would commence at Yankee Stadium following the All-Star break. Levine acknowledged the lengthy process behind the initiative’s implementation and expressed hope about its good impact, adding, “This is something that has been in the works for a long time. It’s done in a lot of places, and it’s something that fans all over the country and in other places in this state have loved. It’s going to raise a lot of money for charity. Fans are going to love it.”
With recent legislation allowing sports organizations to participate in philanthropic games of chance, New York City is set to see a huge increase in fundraising efforts through sporting events. As stadiums prepare to reintroduce spectators, the incorporation of raffles and other games will open up new avenues for philanthropy and community engagement.
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