Lawmakers in New York have decided to remove mobile sports betting from the state’s 2020 budget.
According to a report from The New York Times, New York’s $175.5bn budget will not include mobile sports betting despite the activity receiving strong political support.
Senator Joseph Addabbo, one of the most vocal proponents of mobile sports betting in New York, said that the state could see $90m in tax revenue and licensing fees from mobile betting.
Addabbo said: “We’re sitting on the sidelines and letting our money go out of state.”
Without mobile sports betting New York could miss out on a significant amount of tax revenue. In New Jersey, mobile betting has made up 80% of total sports wagers for two consecutive months due to how convenient it is to place wagers without having to visit a physical casino or sportsbook.
The New York casinos that would offer sports betting are about two hours away from New York City, making it more convenient for New Yorkers to travel to New Jersey to place bets on mobile devices.
Despite the lack of mobile sports betting, the state will still go ahead and regulate land-based sports betting at four upstate casinos and tribal casinos.
In January, the New York State Gaming Commission published their proposed sports betting regulations.
Once the regulations are given final approval, Tioga Downs in Tioga County, Rivers Casino in Schenectady County, Resorts World Catskills in Sullivan County and del Lago in Seneca County will be able to offer sports betting.
On several occasions, New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo has opposed the idea of authorizing mobile sports betting in the state.
Cuomo has argued that the 2013 New York gambling expansion law would require an amendment in order to legalize mobile sports betting. According to state law, voters must approve the expansion of gambling in New York.
Lawmakers now have a small window of opportunity to push through online and mobile betting legislation before the session ends on 19 June.
A bill filled by Addabbo titled SB 17 that would legalize mobile and online wagering is currently being discussed by the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee.
