PointsBet launches sports betting in New York

The operator processed its first wager in New York at 10:09pm local time yesterday (25 January), going live in the state alongside Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, Rush Street Interactive and BetMGM.

PointsBet was one of nine operators recommended for licences following the conclusion of the state’s tender process and was permitted to launch after securing final approval from the New York State Gaming Commission.

New York launched its legal mobile sports betting market on 8 January, with Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel and Rush Street Interactive going live on opening day, while BetMGM was permitted to launch from 17 January.

Resorts World, Bally’s Corporation and Wynn Bet also secured initial approval but are yet to be issued a full licence.

“Launching in New York is a significant milestone for PointsBet, being one of nine approved online sports betting operators in the state,” PointsBet US chief executive Johnny Aitken said.

“This marks a momentous day for PointsBet in officially launching within the state of New York, poised to be one of the largest markets in the US.”

PointsBet is in its third year of being the official sports betting partner of the Comcast-owned media group NBC sports. The operator said that this deal would be important to its operations in New York.

This partnership will allow for multiplatform media and marketing opportunities across SportsNet New York, which is part of the NBC Sports Group, while it will reach Hispanic consumers in the state via the Telemundo Deportes and Telemundo broadcast stations.

The launch means PointsBet is now live in nine states across the US, with the operator also offering sports betting in New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, Michigan, West Virginia and Virginia.

The operator last week also secured a sports betting and igaming licence in Pennsylvania.

This week, it was revealed that consumers spent more than $600.0m during the first nine days of regulated mobile sports betting in New York, while revenue surpassed $48.0m.