State Senator Joe Addabbo brought out the big names at the state Capitol this week in support of a bill that he says would modernize daily fantasy sports in New York.

Former New York Yankees star Tino Martinez argued that if passed, the bill will also enhance the fantasy experience for New Yorkers like him in the process.

“It’s a great way for our family to come together and it’s very enjoyable,” he said. “It gets me involved in more of the players that I don’t know are out there. I get to learn them and talk to my kids about it, to my mom about it.”

Addabbo says along with updating the regulatory environment for daily fantasy sports, the bill raises the age to participate from 18 to 21, closing a loophole and putting it on a level playing field with mobile sports betting.

“We stand at the ready. As legislators, we look to do what’s right for the state, making it a better product, making it safer for our residents, and that’s what we hope to do if not this session, certainly as soon as possible,” he said.

With betting options from horse racing, casinos and sports in addition to daily fantasy, Addabbo dismisses concerns that expanding offerings could saturate the market. 

“This is a parallel track, fantasy sports is separate from mobile sports betting. I don’t see any interference at all. It only enhances it, actually," he said.

Super Bowl champion David Tyree emphasized that it does enhance the experience in a rapidly changing world of sports.

“People are looking at the game totally different. Every single person is looking at the game not trying to just watch it, but to interact with it. And I think that’s what the safeguards and the opportunities in the bill present,” he said.