NEW YORK (WKBW) — New York State approved nine mobile sports betting operators Monday, the NYS Gaming Commission confirmed to 7 Eyewitness News.
The state gaming commission voted to approve two groups of betting operators which includes FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM.
Betfair Interactive US LLC dba FanDuel Sportsbook
- Betfair Interactive US LLC dba FanDuel Sportsbook
- Bally’s Interactive, LLC dba Bally Bet
- BetMGM, LLC
- DraftKings
Sports Information Services Limited dba Kambi
- Rush Street Interactive NY, LLC dba Rush Street Interactive
- American Wagering, Inc. dba Caesars Sportsbook
- Wynn Interactive
- Empire Resorts, Inc. dba Resorts World
- PointsBet
We’re pleased to share that BetMGM has been granted a license to operate mobile sports betting in New York, a state vital to ensuring nationwide leadership in sports betting and iGaming over time. We would like to thank the New York Gaming Commission as well as congratulate them for keeping to their timetable. New York has the potential to be one of the largest sports betting markets in the U.S. and BetMGM is particularly well positioned to become a leader in the state given the strength of the M life customer database, close proximity of Empire City Casino to support our omni-channel strategy, and parlaying our already leading positions in nearby states.
This is an extremely exciting time for New Yorkers as we get ready to launch the leading mobile sports betting program in the country. Our team, with its deep ties to New York, combines the very best in gaming and innovative technology and will be able to deliver a program on day one that provides more choices for consumers, more tax revenue for New York, and more reinvestment in the local communities where we operate. We are grateful to the Gaming Commission for recommending our team and look forward to continuing to work with our partners in Albany as we get even closer to the moment millions of New Yorkers have been waiting for.
A spokesperson for the NYS Gaming Commission released the following statement on the timeline but would not provide a specific date:
Timeline: Winning bidders have to find a facility to house servers, with Commission retaining final approval of location as well as reasonable and actual costs. Each needs to build out server room, equipment has to be tested and approved by an independent testing laboratory.
Mobile Sports Betting by the end of year in NYS? "Depends on the licensee getting everything lined up." according to gaming commission spokesperson. @WKBW #SportsBetting
— Jeff Russo (@JeffRussoWKBW) November 8, 2021
According to The Wall Street Journal the companies’ sports-betting revenue would be taxed at 51%.
The FY 2022 New York State budget agreed to in April included legalizing mobile sports betting. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in April the state's mobile sports betting plan "will pass."
The state estimates mobile sports betting will bring in $500 million each year with $5 million going to youth sports, $6 million going to combat gambling addiction and the left over revenue would go to education.
Jennifer Seib from Best Self Behavioral Health said the mobile aspect could be cause for concern.
“They could be gambling all day long and no one even sees it,” Seib said.
She said some signs that you or a loved one might need counseling are: new irritabilities or mood swings, relationship issues, and financial strain.
“Pay attention to those signs because if that starts to creep in, that may be a big red flag,” Seib said. “The risk of suicide is tremendous for people who do have gambling disorder.”
New York State has a free confidential helpline that can connect you with a provider in your community. There is also a gamblers anonymous program.
Currently, the only way to place a legal bet within New York State is in-person at the four Upstate commercial gaming facilities and Native American gaming facilities.
