With NY Betting Apps exploding, one bill currently under review in the state’s legislature took a step forward for further expansion.
The New York Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee unanimously voted, 7-0, on Monday to approve S7536, a bill that will allow online sports betting operators to place mobile kiosks at pro sports venues, auto racing facilities, horse race tracks, off-track betting sites (OTBs) and video lottery terminals (VLTs).
The bill, sponsored by State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr., who also serves as Chairman of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, now moves onto the Senate Finance Committee.
On Monday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that close to $2 billion in total handle had been posted during the state’s first 30 days of live mobile operation. Addabbo spoke about that accomplishment in Hochul’s release.
“When we brought mobile sports betting to New York,” Addabbo said, “we had confidence it was going to be a success, but to be able to break the national record of total handle for sports betting in a single month in our very first month, with primarily only six sportsbooks, is both rewarding and promising.
“Breaking this record proves that New York was ready for mobile sports betting and we are providing our state with a new significant revenue, educational and addiction funding source. It also can give us an indication of where we go from here, building upon a solid foundation especially with . . . March Madness within our sights. The future is extremely bright for mobile sports betting in New York.”
The Empire State posted a total mobile sports wagering handle of $1,984,759,532 from Jan. 8-Feb. 6, with Caesars Sportsbook New York leading the way with $702.65 million during that time frame.
The Senate Finance Committee will meet again Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m. That meeting has been billed as “2022 Economic & Revenue Consensus Forecasting Conference Meeting,” but the bill most likely will not be a part of the agenda.
Another State Seeks New Avenues
Along the same lines of sports betting expansion, Pennsylvania took that step just last week.
Bensalem-based Parx Casino, which also operates Parx Sportsbook in both retail and mobile forms, has teamed up with iconic crab house and sports bar Chickie’s & Pete’s, opening a 600-square foot race and sportsbook adjacent to its newest, 8,600-square foot location in Malvern last Wednesday.
The combination of the two makes it the first of its kind in the nation that is not attached to a casino, racetrack or major sports venue.
