The COVID-19 pandemic may be the spark that brings on-line or cellular sports activities betting to New York.
The Empire State launched its authorized and controlled sports activities betting market in 2019, however Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been steadfast towards the addition of cellular or on-line sports activities betting. Instead, he has chosen to throw his assist behind the present construction of preserving betting restricted to only the 4 upstate business casinos and the remainder of the tribal properties.
But as New York continues to maintain a few of the most burdensome restrictions within the nation on its native financial system, the state coffers are starting to run dry. With many sectors of the financial system shut down, some lawmakers have begun taking a look at on-line sports activities betting as a possible supply of tax income, according to a report from Spectrum News.
“With businesses operating under socially distancing guidelines, health and safety restrictions and doing all or some of their business virtually and online, now is the time for New York to take the next step and move forward with mobile sports betting,” stated Democratic Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara.
The Democrat is a sitting member of the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee, representing Schenectady, dwelling of Rivers Casino, one of many 4 business casinos within the state.
Cuomo shuttered the brick-and-mortar playing business in mid-March, together with the remainder of the nation, however saved his state’s business casinos closed for much longer than the remainder of the nation. Casino employees staged a rally to reopen the properties earlier than Cuomo lastly allowed the market to function once more in mid-September, with a number of restrictions in place. Poker rooms on the business casinos are nonetheless closed.
Adding cellular and on-line sports activities betting to a market has proven to extend the viability of it. In New Jersey, sports activities bettors have been setting data with how a lot they’re betting on sports activities. The overwhelming majority of the wagers have been positioned by way of cellular apps.
After falling in need of income objectives early in its market’s rollout in 2019, Rhode Island’s legislature determined to go a second invoice that might enable for on-line betting.
