February 24, 2021
Sure, you can bet on sports in the Empire State… but only in person at a brick & mortar casinos. Now New York mobile sports betting has the support of the Governor’s office… if only that were enough.
Casino gambling was passed many years ago after it was determined that the activity is allowed under the New York Constitution. Some would argue that since sports betting takes place at state casinos, it would be a simple matter to allow online or mobile betting. But it’s not that simple.
You see, the gambling is permissible under the constitution at “…no more than seven facilities” in the state. And assigning the New York Lottery to run sports betting would require a constitutional amendment which is unlikely.
Another proposal by a state Assemblyman would allow the eleven state licensed horse racetracks, five off-track betting corporations, the operator of video lottery gaming at Aqueduct Racetrack, and major professional sports venues to be classified as “affiliates” of the upstate commercial casinos.
No matter how you look at the issue of New York mobile sports betting, it’s a bit tricky. You can read more at Forbes.
