New York State Sen. Joe Addabbo plans to make a request to the New York State Gaming Commission that all online sports betting providers and operators launch on the same day in the Empire State.
Addabbo believes the NYSGC, led by Executive Director Rob Williams, should select the date when servers are functional and pass state regulations — or at least with the process is close to reaching its conclusion.
As of now, the NYSGC can conceivably clear sportsbooks to begin operating on an individual basis once they check all the necessary boxes. Addabbo remains optimistic that online sports betting will be up and running by the NFL playoffs in January, and certainly by the Feb. 13 Super Bowl, “as of now.”
“I don’t believe it bodes well for the consumer or the state if everybody starts haphazardly,” Addabbo told PlayNY. “I think there should be a definitive date for everyone. When that definitive date is chosen, most likely by the gaming commission, the question is, ‘Will they be up and ready by then?’ Some might be because of their experience, and maybe they all will. But if you’re not up and running by that date, unfortunately, too bad.
“But that date should only be set whey (the NYSGC) sees that the servers are about to be installed and the programming and all the contracts and negotiations have been done or are close to being done.”
Key for NY online sports betting: Everyone being on the same page
Addabbo said he planned to discuss this issue with Williams later this week.
Currently, Addabo believes, negotiations are ongoing between the eight operators and nine providers about putting their servers on location at NY’s four commercial upstate casinos.
The NYSGC had to award licenses before Dec. 6. Regulators did so earlier this month, so the NYSGC is conceivably ahead of schedule.
“I’m still optimistic,” Addabbo said. “My opinion is we’re fine. It’s important that as committee chair (on racing, gaming and wagering) that my team is on the same page as the Hochul Administration and the gaming commission. Things bode well for New Yorkers when that happens.”
NJ’s record sports betting handle puts pressure on New York
New York has plenty of incentive for FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Bally’s, Caesars, Rush Street, PointsBet, WynnBet and Resorts World to get up and running as soon as possible, even with a concerning 51% tax rate.
Neighboring New Jersey has gone over $1 billion in sports betting handle in back-to-back months, with 20-25% of those totals coming from New York bettors.
In October, it reached a record $1.3 billion.
Part of the driving goal of launching NY betting apps, of course, was to offer online wagering options for in-state customers. With New Jersey continuing to benefit from New York bettors, the pressure continues to mount for the Empire State to go live with its mobile industry.
