NY could approve sports betting next week, just not on mobile devices

New York casinos will soon be taking sports bets.

Even as hopes dim for mobile betting, the state Gaming Commission is expected to approve a new set of rules on Monday to authorize sports bets at four upstate casinos: Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, Rivers Casino in Schenectady, del Lago Casino in Tyre near Rochester and Tioga Downs near Binghamton.

The Gaming Commission drafted governing rules in January and, following a public-comment period, came up with a plan that would require gamblers to be physically present in the commercial facilities.

Meanwhile, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers are butting heads over whether to allow mobile-sports betting as the clock ticks toward the legislative session’s end on June 19.

Supporters insist millions of additional dollars in revenue would flow into state coffers with mobile bets. But Cuomo and his legal team balk at the concept, arguing it would be illegal without amending the state constitution, a process that would take years.


Gamblers have been flocking to neighboring New Jersey, which approved sports gambling via smartphone apps as well as in casinos.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Queens) said the state’s move to start sports betting at the four casinos isn’t necessarily a slap at mobile wagering down the road, which he champions.

“It’s a good thing, as long as the door is open to discussion.”




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Chances of mobile sports betting becoming legal in New York anytime soon are slim to none




ALBANY — Online sports gambling is a losing bet in the Empire State.

New Yorkers hoping to place a wager on pro and college sports from their smartphones are likely out of luck as lawmakers are not ready to pass a bill legalizing mobile sports betting before the legislative session ends later this month, multiple sources in the state capital confirmed to the Daily News.

“It’s just not going to happen” one source said Thursday. “I just don’t see a path forward with the amount of time left.”

With the end on the legislative session rapidly approaching and a host of other issues being prioritized over online wagering, a recently tweaked bill allowing four private upstate casinos and those run by Native American tribes to get in on the action is stuck at the starting gate.

Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon) said the state is losing out on tax revenue as New Yorkers either turn to illicit online-betting platforms or travel to neighboring New Jersey to place wagers.

“We’re losing hundreds of millions of dollars because we haven’t advanced this,” Pretlow, the bill’s Assembly sponsor told The News. “Right now New Jersey is cleaning our clock.”

Proponents of the measure have noted that around 80% percent of the sports wagering revenue in New Jersey comes from mobile betting.

The revamped bill being pushed by Pretlow and Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens) would allow tribal and commercial casinos to offer sports betting statewide if they pony up for a license fee of $12 million. It also requires casinos to pay a state tax of 8.5% of gross sports wagering revenue and a 12% tax on mobile sports wagers.

Current state law only allows in-person sports gambling at the upstate casinos, but regulations governing the sites are still pending.

“We’re trying to do our best to get this moving,” Pretlow said, adding that he would like to see Gov. Cuomo come out in favor of the idea. “We are running out of time and the governor has still not said ‘I want to do it,’ and I think that’s the signal people are waiting for."

The governor, who has stood by his stance that an amendment to state constitution is needed to allow remote wagering via mobile devices, offered gamblers a glimmer of hope last week.

“It’s possible,” Cuomo told WAMC’s Alan Chartock, before noting that there are other measures that take precedence at the moment, such as rent reforms and sexual harassment legislation. “I think the time is short and the list is long, so I would counsel the legislative leaders to get the priorities done, because these priorities are not easy.”




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