JCOPE, Gaming Commission Issue ‘Joint Guidance on Casino Lobbying’

Last week, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) and the New York Gaming Commission issued ‘Joint Guidance on Casino Lobbying,’ which is intended to “ensure commercial casino gaming license Applicants are aware of the applicable lobbying laws and regulations.”

The guidance document “is not specific to any individual set of facts or circumstances, and represents a starting point for further research and analysis by Applicants and their counsel.”

It asks — and responds to — 12 questions, which range from whether an entity is required to register as a lobbyist with JCOPE, to whether expenses related to garnering public support for a casino are reportable as lobbying expenses.

This is a timely document, as the deadline for submission of commercial casino applications is Monday, June 30.