Mobile sports betting returns to New York Assembly's agenda

Staffers for New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is polling members on whether they would back the legalization of mobile sports betting, the NY Post reports.

The Democrat-run state Senate has previously supported proposals to OK app-based sports betting, while Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Heastie have been resistant to the notion.

One lawmaker who got called about his position Thursday from a program staffer overseen by Heastie’s office said the impact of the pandemic on New York’s finances changes everything.

“I was not favorably inclined in the past. But I’m open to mobile sports betting now because of the economic environment we’re in,” said Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (D-Tarrytown).

Mobile sports bets would generate tens of millions of dollars in license fees, taxes and other revenues for the state, supporters argue.

“New Jersey is doing well with it. New Jersey is taking money from New Yorkers,” he said.

Another Democratic Assemblymember who requested anonymity said, “Yeah, they were calling. I got a call earlier. I think they’re counting votes to see if they can pass it.”

“If it comes to the floor, I’d support it. We’re losing a lot of revenue.”

Before the pandemic hit, sports bettors trekked across the Hudson River to the Garden State to place their bets on their smartphones. One dedicated fanatic even cycles over the George Washington Bridge from his home in Harlem to place his bets.

Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee Chairman Gary Pretlow (D-Westchester) said he has secured 85 votes to pass a mobile sports betting bill — more than the 76 votes to need to pass the chamber.

Pretlow claimed he had the votes to pass his mobile sports betting bill before the COVID-19 crisis hit and said “It’s a good sign” that Heastie is polling members about possibly passing it now.

His legislation would require bettors to register with one of the upstate casinos in order to get a sports-betting app — the way horse race bettors sign up with the New York Racing Association to place bets.

In-person sports betting is already allowed at the four upstate casinos: Rivers Casino, Del Lago, Resorts World Catskills and Tioga Downs. Betting in sports lounges is also authorized in full-service casinos operated by the Akwesasne Mohawk, Oneida, and Seneca nations.

The casinos have been closed during the pandemic.

Another proposal would amend the state constitution to allow mobile sports betting, which would take several years, requiring votes by two successive legislatures and then having to be put before voters in a referendum. The governor says a constitutional amendment is required, while Pretlow and the Senate disagree.