New York Governor Cuomo Indicates Potential Support for Mobile Sports Betting
New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo presents a revised plan for mobile sports betting in the state, leaving some legacy hurdles intact. This follow-up to his initial proposal last week evolves into a multi-operator model, sparking surprise in the U.S. legal sports betting community.
Originally voicing interest in overturning his long-held opposition to online sports betting, Cuomo subsequently put forth a New York State Lottery-run sports betting concept concerning Constitutional issues. His team subsequently clarified that the New York State Gaming Commission will now issue a Request for Proposals to select and license sports betting operators or platforms, a strategy adopted mainly by smaller states like Delaware and mid-sized states such as Oregon.
Cuomo's latest proposition provides the latitude for several providers to offer mobile sports wagering in New York, rather than a monopoly. However, the field remains limited to a maximum of four participants in an expanding industry. Appeasing existing partners, this platform must collaborate with at least one of the existing licensed commercial casinos, such as FanDuel, DraftKings, Rush Street Gaming (BetRivers Sportsbook), and Bet365 (Resorts World Catskills).
New York's numerous sports betting promotions have resulted in substantial growth in wagers placed in 2024. Reportedly, MGM Resorts International faces a potential setback, as their online arm BetMGM lacks an alignment with an existing licensed commercial casino, casting uncertainty over their participation in the mobile sports betting market.
Some controversy surrounds this move, as the requirement to partner with a commercial casino may disadvantage MGM, which bought Yonkers Raceway for $850 million in 2019. MGM's lack of live-dealer table games or sports betting options raises questions about their eligibility for licensing.
Longtime advocates Gary Pretlow and Joseph Addabbo Jr. view Cuomo's latest proposal with a mixture of enthusiasm and reservation, as the intricacies involved extend to tribal casinos and the New York Racing Association's aspirations for a seat at the table. In response, they have filed joint legislation allowing for up to 14 sports betting apps in New York, taking a different approach from the governor's idea.
Cuomo points out that nearly 20% of New Jersey's sports wagering revenue comes from New York residents, representing lost revenue for the state. The contrast between New York's and New Jersey's sports betting revenue is noteworthy, with Garden State operators pocketing $66.4 million in January 2025 compared to just $2.3 million for their New York counterparts.
Sports betting operators in New York may now collaborate with existing licensed commercial casinos, such as FanDuel, DraftKings, Rush Street Gaming (BetRivers Sportsbook), and Bet365 (Resorts World Catskills), to offer mobile sports wagering in the state. However, MGM Resorts International, which lacks an alignment with an existing licensed commercial casino, faces uncertainty about their participation.
