NY Finally Launches Mobile Sports Betting
The state of New York officially launched its legal mobile sports wagering market on 8th January, 2022, with four of the state’s approved operators simultaneously going live on launch day. The New York Gaming Commission gave Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel and Rush Street Interactive the all-clear to launch on January 6th.
The state of New York officially launched its legal mobile sports wagering market on 8th January, 2022, with four of the state’s approved operators going live on launch day.
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Remaining Five Applicants are Continuing to Work on Satisfying Requirements
The state of New York finally launched its official legal mobile sports wagering market on January 8th, 2022, with all four of the operators approved to operate in the state going live simultaneously on launch day.
The New York Gaming Commission, which is the state’s primary gambling regulator, released a statement last week in which it cleared Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Rush Street Interactive to accept mobile sports bets, having determined they “satisfied all statutory and regulatory requirements necessary to accept and process mobile sports wagering activity”.
Of the nine total operators which were recommended for licenses following the conclusion of the state’s tender process, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Rush Street Interactive were the ones who actually went live on launch day.
As for the remaining five operators – PointsBet, Resorts World, BetMGM, Bally’s Corporation and Wynn Bet – the New York Gaming Commission clarified that these five will “continue to work towards satisfying statutory and regulatory requirements necessary to launch”, with approvals expected to be doled out on a rolling basis.
Caesars Launched Sportsbook Alongside New York Retail Locations
To mark the occasion of the official launch of mobile sports betting in New York, Caesars Sportsbook launched its mobile betting sportsbook to operate alongside its New York retail sites at Point Place Casino, Turning Stone Resort and Yellow Brick Road Casino.
Additionally, the operator will also roll out its Caesars Rewards customer loyalty program, allowing New Yorkers who bet with the operator to earn Tier Credits and Reward Credits with every wager.
Much like many other casino operators’ rewards programs, these credits can be later used to unlock experiences such as hotel, food and beverage, entertainment, and gaming opportunities, as well as bonus cash and sports experiences.
Finally, Caesars has also signed New York Rangers National Hockey League legend Henrik Lundqvist as its ambassador to New York to help support its launch in the state. Caesars Digital co-president Chris Holdren described launch day as “historic” — both for the operator and the indeed the whole state of New York:
“Today is a historic day for not only Caesars Sportsbook, but for the entire state of New York. We’re ready to treat sports fans across the state of New York like royalty through our Caesars Sportsbook app as we welcome them into the Caesars Empire, extend our already established roots and continue to build partnerships that benefit our bettors.”– Chris Holdren, Co-President, Caesars Digital
DraftKings and FanDuel Also Tied Sportsbook to Retail Sites
Much like Caesars, DraftKings’ mobile sportsbook in New York will also operate alongside its retail sports betting facility, which opened at the del Lago Resort and Casino in Waterloo, New York, in August 2019.
The operator’s director of race and sportsbook operations, Johnny Avello, described the launch of New York’s legal mobile sports betting market as a word colliding event:
“Growing up in New York and having spent the last 30-plus years in Las Vegas, I am thrilled that my worlds are finally set to collide. Millions of New Yorkers will soon discover what we believe makes our DraftKings Sportsbook the very best in customer service and real-money gaming and entertainment.”– Johnny Avello, Director of Race and Sportsbook Operations, DraftKings
FanDuel, owned by Flutter Entertainment, will also follow suit and expand its retail presence in New York by launching a mobile sportsbook. FanDuel’s retail sportsbook at Tioga Downs Casino Resort has been open since 2019.
It took the opportunity of New York’s mobile sports betting launch to announce that it would be partnering with New York-based National Football League (NFL) franchise the Buffalo Bills. The operator was named as the team’s official mobile sports betting partner.
And last but not least, the Rush Street Interactive-run BetRivers sportsbook also went live on January 8th, 2022, offering betting options on all major professional and collegiate leagues, games, and players, such as spreads, moneylines, parlays, props, futures, and more. Rush Street operates retail betting locations in the state through its RIver Casino and Resort Schenectady properties.
Nine Licensees Were Revealed Back in November 2021
The tender process in New York for the awarding of mobile sports betting licenses finally came to a conclusion back in November 2021, when the New York Gaming Commission chose to go ahead with two bids consisting of nine total operators.
The FanDuel-led consortium, consisting of DraftKings, BetMGM and Bally’s, was one of those chosen recipients. The other successful bid was Kambi’s, which includes Caesars Sportsbook, PointsBet, Resorts World, Rush Street Interactive and Wynn Bet.
The New York Gaming Commission also took the chance to confirm the 51% gross revenue tax rate for all participants. Despite the steep tax rate, Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg still chose to thank the gaming commission and the state for selecting the operator:
“We’ve been looking forward to the opportunity to bring mobile sports betting to New York. With more than 19 million people, New York will be the biggest mobile sports betting market in the country, and we feel we are uniquely positioned to bring an incredible product to that market. We’re pleased to have been recommended for a license by the New York State Gaming Commission, and we thank Governor Kathy Hochul, the State Legislature, and the NYSGC for their continued leadership in making mobile sports wagering available to the Empire State.”
