Oneida Nation Launches First Tribal Sportsbooks In New York

• Turning Stone and Point Place will become the first tribal casinos ever to operate sports betting in New York.
• In total, three casino properties owned by the Oneida Nation are parented with Caesars Entertainment to provide their sportsbook.
• Sports betting in New York is limited to only in-person bets at either tribal casinos or four up-state commercial casinos.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The number of active sportsbooks in New York will double this Thursday with the grand opening of “The Lounge with Caesars Sports” at Turning Stone Resort Casino and Point Place Casino.

The grand opening celebration will be held at Turning Stone on August 1, 2019, at 10 a.m. ET. The event will be themed as the Ultimate Tailgate and will feature mascots and cheerleaders from local sports teams, appearances by community leaders, as well as complimentary shirts and prizes.

The Turning Stone sports betting area is located near the main entrance and features a 500-square-foot curved LED screen, with acuity to the likes of Times Square, and visible from three sides. There are also 16 LED TVs throughout the sportsbook that range in size from 65-inch screens to 85-inch screens.

Point Place will also feature an expansive sports betting area. The sportsbook in Point Place will be located within the newly expanded gaming floor. Visitors will be greeted with a 24-foot HD LED screen as well as 30 LED TVs located throughout the space, ranging in size from 65-inches to 85-inches.

Sports fans have the opportunity to join the “Champions Fan Club” for free. This will allow them to be notified of any exclusive events or any special offers that the sportsbooks announce in the future.

“The Lounge with Caesars Sports will feature the most up-to-date elements in sports betting and cutting-edge technology,” said Oneida Nation leader Ray Halbritter.

Caesars Entertainment powers the sportsbook at Turning Stone and Point Place. The Las Vegas-based gaming giant will also power the third Oneida Nation property, Yellow Brick Road, later this summer.

The partnership with Caesars also works well for Caesars Rewards members. According to a Turning Stone press release:

“Through this new relationship, Turning Stone, Yellow Brick Road, and Point Place Casino players will be able to exchange and redeem their TS Rewards loyalty points, as well as have their player tier levels matched, for Caesars Rewards Points at all Caesars properties, with the same exchange available for Caesars players at Oneida Indian Nation properties. Caesars will also sponsor special player promotions and events at its new partner venues, further bringing the excitement of Las Vegas to New York at the Oneida Indian Nation’s gaming venues.”

The Oneida Indian Nation becomes the first to accept legal sports bets within a tribal-owned casino. Sports betting in New York was approved to be held in tribal casinos and four upstate commercial casinos via voter referendum in 2013.

All three locations are expected to have sportsbooks fully operational in time for the 2019 NFL season.

“Football is king,” said Justin Arnett, the Oneida’s director of sportsbook operations. “Once the NFL season comes, it will be a madhouse in here – in a good way.”

An important aspect to remember is that New York sports betting regulations do not allow for betting on in-state collegiate sports teams or collegiate events.

News tags: Caesars Entertainment | Justin Arnett | New York | Oneida Indian Nation | Point Place | Ray Halbritter | Turning Stone Resort Casino | Yellow Brick Road