Following the passing of yesterday’s deadline for a Request For Applications For Mobile Sports Wagering, the New York Gaming Commission has published a list of applications from potential entrants to the NY market.
The list, as detailed by the regulator, includes Hillside (New York) LLC, doing business as bet365, and Score Digital Sports Venture Inc, doing business as theScore Bet, both of which have not identified a partner.
There are two applications from Sports Information Services Ltd, doing business as Kambi, but with different groups of partners. The first includes FGB Enterprises LLC (Fanatics Sportsbook) and Penn Sports Interactive LLC.
The second application features partners American Wagering Inc (Caesars Sportsbook); Empire Resorts Inc (Resorts World); PointsBet New York (PointsBet); Rush Street Interactive NY (Rush Street Interactive); and WSI US LLC (WynnBET).
Joining the list is Betfair Interactive US LLC, doing business as FanDuel Sportsbook and partnered with Bally’s Interactive (Bally Bet); BetMGM LLC; and – surprisingly – DraftKings. Also included is TSG Interactive US Services Ltd, doing business as FOX Bet, but with no partner named.
The Commission will now undertake a review of each bid, awarding up to 75 points for, inter alia, market expertise; integrity and sustainability; past experience; advertising and promotional plans; efforts to ensure racial, ethnic and gender diversity; and safety of bidders’ respective platforms. The law also stipulates that each bid includes a minimum of two proposed platform operators.
One of the key differentiators may well be the amount of additional tax that bidders are prepared to pay on top of the mandated 50% tax on gross gaming revenue that will be applied. While 50% will represent the highest rate in the country, further review points can be earned for every percentage point that goes above that figure.
The next big question is around timing, although hopes remain firm that a decision will be in place by the end of the year, enabling the winning bids to be up and running in time for February’s Super Bowl kick off.
