On Tuesday, The Stars Group (TSG) announced an agreement with the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort in New York that will see the operator enter New York’s gambling market.
Under this agreement, TSG will have the option to operate and brand a real-money online sportsbook, online casino and online poker on a first skin basis. This part of the agreement is subject to the legalization of online sports betting in New York and both parties receiving regulatory approval.
TSG will also provide the venue with support services for the launch and operation of a land-based sportsbook at the tribal venue.
The Mohawk Casino will receive a revenue share from the operation of TSG’s online offering while TSG will receive a revenue share from the operation of the land-based sportsbook.
Comment from both parties
In a statement, Robin Chhabra, CEO of FOX Bet, the new US sports betting brand of The Stars Group said: “We are excited to announce this agreement with Mohawk, which further strengthens our market access as we work to build our FOX Bet business into one of the leaders in the emerging US online betting and gaming market.”
Todd Papineau, General Manager of the Mohawk Casino said: “We are thrilled to elevate the sports betting experience for our guests in our new sports lounge, a 5,200 square foot sports betting hub that will be ready during the NFL season. Once permissible in the state, we will be prepared to accept sports wagers through our new kiosks.
“With its online betting and gaming solutions and FOX Bet and PokerStars brands, we believe The Stars Group is the ideal partner for us and it is positioned to become a leader in the US online betting and gaming industry.
“We are delighted to work with The Stars Group, one of the world’s largest, most licensed online gaming companies, to leverage the opportunity presented by online betting and gaming in the State of New York.”
Sports betting in New York
Land-based sports betting is expected to come to New York in the Fall after the New York State Gaming Commission approved sports betting regulations back in June. However, the regulations only relate to land-based sports betting.
Under current legislation, four upstate casinos and a handful of tribal casinos can offer land-based sports betting. The four upstate venues authorized to offer sports betting are Tioga Downs in Tioga County, Rivers Casino in Schenectady County, Resorts World Catskills in Sullivan County and del Lago in Seneca County.
Three venues owned by the Oneida Indian Nation are also set to offer sports betting: Turning Stone Resort Casino, Yellow Brick Road Casino and Point Place Casino.
Online and mobile sports betting, however, won’t be coming to the Empire State until 2020 at the earliest.
The 2019 New York legislative session closed in June without a vote on legislation that would authorize state-wide mobile and online sports wagering.
