New York mobile betting bill amended to ease Governor’s constitutional concerns
Amended legislation also calls for $12m initial license fee as well as a 12% tax for mobile betting
The two New York legislators pushing betting legalization in the state have published new versions of their companion bills, with the amended version restricting the range of operators able to offer mobile betting in the state.
The new bill clarifies that mobile betting would be limited to the four up-state casinos in New York, essentially locking out off-track betting corporations, and places like pro sports stadiums from mobile betting.
Assemblyman Gary Pretlow told racing news outlet Bloodhorse the change was designed to make the legislation “cleaner” to ease Governor Cuomo’s concerns about whether mobile betting is permitted without a constitutional amendment.
New York’s constitution prohibits any expansion of gambling without an amendment, but a 2013 amendment permitted NY sports betting at the four new up-state casinos.
By limiting mobile betting to the four casinos, the new legislation theoretically stays within the confines of the previous amendment. Betting servers for the casinos and their skin partners would have to be located within the casinos.
Beyond the mobile question, the new bill sets a $12m initial license fee, with a 12% tax for mobile betting.
Exactly 0.2% of every wager placed would go to the sports leagues as an integrity fee.
Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr, the co-author of the bills along with Pretlow, is holding a public hearing on sports betting in his wagering committee next Wednesday.
For more detail on the legislative situation in New York, click here.