The Rivers Casino Resort in Schenectady became the first casino in New York to take wagers on sport betting events under new regulations introduced by the state.
Another seven sports betting lounges are due to open in the coming weeks and months.
Tioga Downs in Nichols will open its doors to bettors on Friday afternoon. Its soft launch, done in partnership with FanDuel which is providing its branded sportsbook, takes place today.
On August 1st, sportsbooks are scheduled to open at Point Place Casino in Bridgeport and Turning Stone Resort Casino in Oneida County.
The New York Gaming Commission still has to inspect and sign off on the gambling facilities at Resorts World Catskills and the Del Lago Resort and Casino in Waterloo before these businesses can offer sports betting.
While the Seneca Nation of Indians hasn’t yet announced official plans to open sports betting lounges at its three casinos in New York, it is believed that the tribe will eventually join the industry and is already exploring its options.
Rivers Casino & Resort acting General Manager, Justin Moore said:“We think sports fans and sports bettors throughout the Capital Region and beyond will be thrilled with the new sportsbook and are looking forward to welcoming them into the casino to place legal wagers for the first time.”
Mobile Gambling on the Way
The state already has got its eye on introducing mobile sports betting.
Assemblyman, Gary Pretlow, was one of the first people to drop a bet at Rivers Casino Resorts this week. He said that the state is seeking to get mobile sports betting up and running before the middle of 2020.
Pretlow pointed out that New Jersey is “cleaning our clock when it comes to sports betting.”
“I think New York should always be at the forefront of everything and right now we’re a little behind them,” he added.
