NY betting bill amended to permit in-stadium wagering

Some of New York’s sporting arenas could be able to offer betting to patrons, after legislation to legalise land-based and mobile betting was amended by authors, Senator Joseph Addabbo and Assemblymember Gary Pretlow. 

Addabbo’s bill, S17, and Pretlow’s companion bill in the New York Assembly A6113 were amended yesterday (June 6) to significantly expand the outlets at which betting would be legal, should it pass into law.

Both off-track betting (OTB) locations and New York Racing Association (NYRA) facilities would be allowed to offer mobile wagering via kiosks, per the amendment. These would be allowed to launch betting alongside New York State's four upstate casinos. 

Facilities hosting video lottery terminals and racinos, however, would only be allowed to launch sports betting 12 months after the vertical goes live at the casinos, OTBs and NYRA outlets. The bill’s definition of affiliates to licensed sports betting operators has been amended to include sports arenas. This means casinos could partner stadia to offer sports betting. 

However, this would only be permitted if the county in which the stadium is located does not have an existing affiliate, such as an OTB, franchised gambling outlet, racetrack or VLT facility. Under these terms Madison Square Gardens on Manhattan, which has already trademarked is brand for gambling purposes, would be eligible. 

Read the full story on iGB North America.