The New York mobile wagering bill has taken a leap forward in recent days after receiving the green light from the state’s Senate, however its progression may be a race against the clock.
Senator Joseph Addabbo’s bill, S17, is yet to progress through the House of Representatives before the end of the state’s legislative session tomorrow. The bill, which has been passed to the New York Assembly, passed in the Senate with 57 votes in favour and five votes against.
“As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, I am delighted that the State Senate has taken this important step towards legalizing sports betting via smart phones and other mobile devices,” Addabbo said following the bill’s passage.
“Permitting this type of wagering holds great potential for creating jobs and raising significant revenues for education, while also credibly addressing the issue of compulsive gambling.”
The bill, which has been in the hands of the Senate Finance Committee for several weeks, was discharged and subsequently committed to the chamber’s Rules Committee.
Only last week, the state legalized sports wagering after gambling regulators voted to allow sports betting at four upstate casinos. Due to become a reality later this summer, Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady, Tioga Downs in the Southern Tier and Del Lago Resort and Casino in the Finger Lakes can all begin offering bets once they are licensed.
Operators will pay a 10% tax on revenue from sports wagering which is permitted on all sports except for collegiate match-ups.
