The New York State Gaming Commission unanimously approved rules and regulations on Monday that are to reportedly permit the eastern state’s eleven upstate commercial and tribal casinos to apply for licenses for the purposes running on-site sportsbooks.

PASPA product:

According to a report from NewYorkUpstate.com, the decision means that New York has now become the 14th American state to legalize some form of sportsbetting since last year’s decision by the United States Supreme Court to invalidate the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which was a federal piece of legislation that had effectively limited sports wagering to casinos in Nevada.

August opening:

NewYorkUpstate.com reported that the recently-approved provisions could see punters in New York begin placing bets on a range of amateur and professional sports by as early as August, which would coincide with the start of the upcoming National Football League (NFL) season. But, the new rules are to purportedly prohibit any wagering on collegiate events taking place within or involving teams from ‘The Empire State.’

Commercial interest:

The four upstate commercial casinos that will now be able to apply for a sportsbetting license include the Del Lago Resort and Casino and this property is reportedly well placed to be one of the first to launch such a land-based service after it inked a deal in July with DraftKings Incorporated. The Seneca County venue already has plans to open a 6,000 sq ft sportsbook featuring an array of high-definition LED televisions alongside 20 self-service betting kiosks and a bank of cashier stations.

Mark Juliano, General Manager for the Del Lago Resort and Casino, noted that his property has been in constant dialogue with the state and intends to apply for a land-based sportsbetting license as soon as they become available.

Juliano stated…

“We think it’s going to be an exciting place for our visitors to watch games, have some food and beverages and take advantage of the ability to bet on the action.”

Catskills charm:

Further south and Resorts World Catskills is moreover one of New York’s four commercial casinos that is expected to apply for permission to open a land-based sportsbook in hopes of being able to assuage a string of disappointing financial results. Owned by Empire Resorts Incorporated, this Sullivan County facility debuted in February of 2018 and purportedly has a similar alliance in place with British online sportsbetting giant Bet365 Group Limited.

Remaining requests:

Regarding the eastern state’s remaining pair of commercial casinos, Tioga Downs Casino Resort is known to have signed an agreement with the FanDuel Group subsidiary of European sportsbetting behemoth, Flutter Entertainment, which was previously known as PaddyPower Betfair until a March name-change, while Rivers Casino and Resort Schenectady is hopeful of being able to enter the sports wagering fray via a service provided by its Rush Street Gaming parent.

Aboriginal appeal:

For New York’s seven tribal-owned casinos, Oneida Indian Nation has already started constructing sportsbooks inside its Turning Stone Resort Casino and smaller Point Place Casino and subsequently has hopes of premiering a similar operation for its nearby Yellow Brick Road Casino. The federally-recognized tribe purportedly intends to run these sports wagering services in partnership with Las Vegas-headquartered Caesars Entertainment Corporation and has hired Nevada sportsbetting veteran Justin Arnett to direct its efforts.

Finally, neither the Mohawk Nation, which is responsible for northern New York’s Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, or the Seneca Nation of Indians have yet detailed whether they will be applying for sportsbetting licenses. This latter tribe runs the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino and Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino properties but is purportedly thought to be preoccupied with its long-running dispute with the state regarding revenue-sharing payments.