Mobile sports betting has recently been legalized in Pennsylvania, allowing people to place bets from their phones. The law took effect on October 15, 2018, so it was initially unclear as to when — or if — mobile sports betting would become legal in other states. Now, New York is looking to adopt similar legislation.
Here’s a look at when mobile sports betting will be legal in New York and what you need to know.
When Will Mobile Sports Betting Be Legal In New York?
The last few years have seen an explosion in the number of states legalizing sports gambling, with legislation being passed at a near-insane rate. It’s opened up a whole new world of possibilities for sports bettors and bookmakers, not to mention the fact that it’s brought in a ton of money for state governments and public institutions that supported the legislation. While states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania were early adapters, leading the way with legislation and now boasting significant, international gambling populations, it was initially unclear as to when and if other states would catch up.
What Do The Latest Amendments Mean For Sports Betting In New York?
Amendments to the 2018 New York state budget bill were included that legalized some form of sports gambling for fans located in or outside of New York. The amendments were supposed to be retroactive, applying to cases dating back to the start of the year, but they weren’t. A lawsuit has been filed challenging the constitutionality of the amendments, arguing that they violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection under the law. (See the lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union here.)
If the court agrees with the NYCLU, then the legalization of sports betting in New York will be halted through at least July 11, 2019. However, in a New York Supreme Court filing, lawyers for the state argued that the amendment should be upheld, meaning that the lawsuit has some chance of succeeding.
Is Mobile Sports Betting In The Future For New York?
The Sports Betting Task Force, which was created by the New York state legislature in 2016, evaluated the merits of legalizing mobile sports betting in New York. The panel consisted of representatives from the sports industry as well as the public sector. In March of this year, the panel released a report recommending against the implementation of mobile sports betting in New York, citing concerns regarding consumer protection and public safety.
The report noted that while mobile sports betting provides convenience for consumers, it also raises a number of concerns. For example, current restrictions on sports betting make it more difficult for consumers to file complaints if they have grievances regarding the way in which their bets were settled. (See the entire report here.)
What Will Be The Legal Gaming Options For New York Residents?
The legalization of sports gambling has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for people who want to place bets. Not only can they do so from virtually anywhere, but they can also use their mobile phones to do so. As a result, the number of potential online casino and sports betting destinations that can be accessed from a mobile phone has increased significantly.
Depending on what form of sports betting they prefer to indulge in, New York residents may have a number of legal options to choose from. For example, if they live in the metropolitan area and want to bet on the New York Mets, they can head over to betonline.com and use their phones to place online bets on just about any sporting event that the Mets take part in. Or if they are a fan of the University of Texas and want to bet on the Longhorns, they can visit thetexasbook.com and make the same kind of selections through their mobile phones.