New York senate okay mobile betting; eyes on Assembly, Cuomo

New York’s mobile sports betting hopes took another step closer to realization after the state senate approved their wagering legislation.

On Monday, the New York state senate okayed SB17D, which would authorize digital betting operations in the state, as well as in-stadia wagering at major sports venues, plus betting kiosks at racetracks and off-track betting parlors.

Monday’s vote was by an emphatic margin of 57-5 but the bill is believed to face a far more uncertain future from this point forward. While Assembly figures insist they have more than enough votes to ensure the bill’s passage, it’s unclear whether Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie will permit a wagering vote when there are more pressing issues to consider before the current legislative session concludes on Wednesday.

There’s also the small matter that Gov. Andrew Cuomo publicly expressed misgivings just last week about (a) the chances that a betting bill will be passed before the deadline, and (b) whether such a bill would conflict with the state constitution, which requires a voter referendum on expansion of gambling options.