New York’s Senate and State House Assembly have given green light to the project to expand gambling in the state with votes on two separate bills that will set in motion the creation of new casino licenses for the downstate zone, including one in New York City.
The bills set the stage for the long-overdue introduction of mobile sports betting in the state, with potentially two sports wagering brands allowed per casino. All going to plan, that could create 20 licenses across the established seven casinos (four commercial and three tribal) and three new casinos.
Senate budget proposal S 2509B, markedly different from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s lottery-driven model, allows for multiple operators in a bid to encourage increased competition and choice throughout the state.
Sports betting licenses could be issued to Empire City Casino and Resorts World Casino New York City but nothing is for sure yet in that regard.
More sports betting licenses could be up for grabs for operators as well.
"I appreciate the efforts of my Senate colleagues and staff for all the work that produces the Senate One-House Budget, especially in terms of including mobile sports betting and the expediting process for New York State’s three unused downstate casino licenses,” Senator Joseph Addabbo told Casino City News.
“This brings us one step closer to giving people a way to responsibly, legally and safely place bets from anywhere in New York. I look forward to the productive budget negotiations with the Assembly and Governor's administration,as we focus on providing New Yorkers with the best possible mobile sports betting product and a witnessing of increased revenue and educational funding,while also expanding problem gambling measures and job opportunities,” Addabbo added.
Source: GMB / Casino City News / SBC Americas
