Governor Questions New York Mobile Sports Betting

• Sports betting has already been approved in New York for the four upstate commercial casinos.
• Mobile betting might require a change in the state’s constitution.
• Neighboring New Jersey has seen over three-fourths of betting action occur online.

NEW YORK – Through four servers in upstate New York, mobile wagering may be working its way into the sports betting conversation.

On Wednesday, the Sentate passed a budget resolution containing the measures to allow New Yorkers to sign up for the online platforms without having to physically enter one of the four upstate casinos.

Originally proposed was the idea that residents would have to sign up in person to prevent underage gamblers or fraudulent accounts from taking place.

The closest casino to those living in the city (Resorts World Catskills) is 100 miles away, which presented many irritations from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and even Long Island residents. Instead, their plan was to cross into New Jersey and simply wager on sports without having to plan a trip across the state.

However, Governor Andrew Cuomo believes this measure, though desired, will not be able to proceed.

In New York, for mobile sports betting to be approved, a constitutional amendment must take place. This requires two legislative sessions of approval as well as a final confirmation taking place in a voter referendum.

Still, Senators are determined to move forward with their actions.

“There’s a shot we can get this done,” said Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D- Queens). Addabbo is the Chair of the Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee.

Representative Angelo Santabarba (D- Rotterdam) expects that legal New York sports betting could profit upwards of $30 million a year by tax contributions from the sports betting revenue of the casinos. Currently, the tax rate is set at 8.25%, which is on the lower side of states that have already approved regulations.

With nearly four-fifths of all New Jersey action being done so through mobile applications, there is no question why the Empire State legislators are requesting this addition.

“You don’t generate the revenue necessary without mobile sports betting,” Addabbo continued.

Other representatives, like Carrie Woerner (D- Round Lake), even spoke on how “it’s time for the law to catch up” with how consumers want to wager on sporting events.

It’s no shock that adding in the mobile application would benefit the state “where our kids and our schools can have the benefit of the education revenue” mentioned Woener.

Regardless, the adoption of the state budget is due April 1 and Governor Cuomo and legislators will need to get on the same page over the course of the next two weeks.