Some Details Emerge on Sports Betting in New York

It appears increasingly likely that sports betting in New York will be initially offered only on the physical premises of any of the four land-based casinos currently operating in New York and by extension any of the Indian-nation casinos. Cuomo’s budget director, Robert Mujica, said Tuesday the Cuomo administration believes extending sports betting beyond the casino’s physical space would violate the state constitution. That would, for now, block betting online or at other locations, like horse tracks, racinos or Off Track Betting parlors. “If we want to expand it anywhere else but the land-based casinos, including online … you need a constitutional amendment,” Mujica said. “That’s a separate conversation.”

Regulations still need to be issued by the gaming commission before any sports books can become operational. According to Morris Peters, spokesman for the state budget office, the gaming commission is expected to propose rules and regulations for the four private casinos by the end of January.

Senator Addabbo, Chair of the Senate committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering has introduced a bill and an amendment to the constitution to allow online sports betting in New York.