New York mobile sports betting highly unlikely for 2019
Despite an extension to the legislative session, lawmakers are unlikely to pass a mobile sports betting bill in New York.
The session was due to end on Wednesday, and with it the chances of sports betting going online this year, but was extended to include Thursday.
Assemblyman Gary Pretlow however, has reportedly claimed the bill is all but dead.
The New York State Senate approved the bill earlier this week, receiving 57 votes in favour, with only five against. Sponsored by Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr., the bill would also allow in-stadium wagering at venues containing at least 15,000 seats.
But Governor Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie are both against mobile sports betting being allowed in the state, believing it to be unconstitutional in its current form.
Addabbo and Pretlow disagree, believing the legislative body does not need to determine the legality of online sportsbooks.
Addabbo said he has not witnessed a clear reason why New York cannot implement online sports betting this year and that approximately $75m in revenue would be lost as a result of failure to progress.
He added: “New York will be stuck like a disabled car on the shoulder, while we allow an illegal sports betting business in our state to thrive and idly watch other neighbouring states pass us with enormous revenue gains from mobile sports betting.”
Addabbo will be speaking exclusively with Gambling Insider about New York mobile wagering later this week.
Gambling Insider delivers the latest industry news, in-depth features, and operator reviews that you can trust. Our team combines rigorous editorial standards with decades of specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and fairness. We are committed to delivering clear, impartial, and dependable coverage across the global gambling sector.
