The process to launch New York sportsbooks is moving forward, but oral presentations from each of the six bidders for potential licenses will not be part of it.
The Sept. 1 date posted in the RFA was an option built in if necessary, according to Brad Maione, director of communications, New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC).
“The process is moving forward with consideration of applications per RFA timeline,” Maione said in an email to EmpireStakes.com on Wednesday.
With surrounding states either having flourishing online sports betting markets or nearing the launch of one (Connecticut), the Empire State is trying to keep pace by expanding N.Y. gambling offerings.
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The six primary applicants in N.Y. include a group featuring competing gaming companies Bally’s, BetMGM NY sportsbook app, DraftKings NY sportsbook app and FanDuel NY sportsbook app. Other partners include the Seneca Nation, Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Major League Soccer’s NYCFC, New York Yankees and the YES Network.
A bid by platform provider Kambi includes Caesars Sportsbook New York, Resorts World Catskills, PointsBet, Rush Street Interactive (BetRivers NY sportsbook app) and WynnBET New York.
Kambi also has a bid with Fanatics — led by former FanDuel CEO Matt King — with Penn National Gaming’s Barstool Sportsbook.
The remaining three bids include: Bet365 NY sportsbook app, FOX Bet and theScore.
The NYSGC will choose a minimum of two platform providers and four operators, but has the option to select more. The state is seeking at least 50% of gross gaming revenues from online sports betting, but would like to see that number even higher.
“We have professionalism on both sides. We have diverse and varied companies for whom they represent and the expertise they bring to the field. That’s what the commission wanted and the six bidders bring that to the table,” New York State Sen. Joseph Addabbo, chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, said in a phone call to EmpireStakes.com on Monday. “On the government side, they also bring professionalism and know what they have to do legislatively.
”All the ingredients are there to move forward and there is no reason why it should not go smoothly.”
This all comes as New York has a new governor with the resignation of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Gaming Commission Keeps Process Moving
Earlier this month, the NYSGC released redacted applications for the six and unanimously approved proposed mobile sports betting rules. The rules were first announced on July 9, the same day the request for application (RFA) for potential license holders went live.
Selections for licenses must be made by Dec. 6.
Mobile sports wagering could go live by early 2022 in the Empire State. NY online casinos have not been legalized by the state. Addabbo has said in the past he would like the online sports betting market to be live before Super Bowl LVI, if not sooner. The Super Bowl is Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
“I’m still very opportunistic that this will get done, with the professionalism that is on both sides,” Addabbo said. “Up at a sports betting conference recently at Saratoga Race Course that I’ve gone from aggressive optimism to realistic optimism that this can be in place by the Super Bowl in 2022.”
Editor's note: This story was updated to include that oral presentations are not needed.
