New York online sports betting timeline delayed after missed deadline
Bidding process, slated to begin July 1, in flux after NY Gaming Commission misses target
Online sports betting in New York was supposed to take another step forward as of July 1, when the New York Gaming Commission was slated to begin the bidding period for online sportsbooks.
But that deadline — which was included in the state’s 2021-22 fiscal year — came and went, creating questions as to when the request for proposals (RFP) will be formally issued.
Some reports have the delay lasting up to two weeks, which would likely compromise an already tenuous timeline of getting mobile sports betting up and running in New York by next year’s Super Bowl.
A February 2022 launch has been the goal of Senator Joe Addabbo Jr., chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee who has led the charge in trying to create a competitive, multi-operator online sports betting model in New York.
“The fact that our state couldn’t meet its initial mobile sports betting deadline to take a positive step towards recognizing additional educational and anti-addiction funding is disappointing,” Addabbo Jr. said in a statement.
“I remain confident that in the end, New York will have a premier, top-shelf mobile sports betting product to offer its residents and effectively compete in the market,” he added.
The delay in the RFP process represents the latest setback for Addabbo and his legislative cohort, who originally aimed to use neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania as templates for New York’s model.
Addabbo’s plan would have included two online skins for each of the state’s current casinos, in addition to its three planned downstate casinos.
However, Governor Andrew Cuomo favored a monopoly-centric model similar to New Hampshire, where DraftKings is the sole licensed operator and splits revenue roughly 50/50 with the state.
The two sides ultimately settled somewhere in the middle, agreeing for at least two platform providers – each receiving multiple skins – to be selected by the state.
The bill called for the RFP to be issued by July 1, with bidders having 30 days to submit their proposals. The Gaming Commission would then have 150 days to select the providers and award licenses.
That process will now be delayed due to the missed deadline, with New Jersey continuing to be the primary beneficiary of New York’s complications.