The escalating competition to establish the first casino in the New York City area has prompted developers to prioritize winning local support, particularly after state regulators emphasized the need for projects to be embraced by the community. As part of their efforts to garner favor, gambling operators have gone to great lengths, including sponsoring youth sports programs and adorning jerseys with casino logos. In communities where summer activities for children are limited, offerings such as free backpacks and water bottles provided by the casino have been difficult to resist. Consequently, the sight of residents sporting casino-branded shirts has become increasingly common throughout the neighborhood. Thomas Sicignano, founder of Brooklyn USA Basketball, noted that his group had been hosting clinics for 12 years, but it was only through the casino’s sponsorship that they could afford uniforms for every child and expand their coaching staff, significantly enhancing the program’s reach and impact.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/nyregion/nyc-casino-marketing-children.html