Sen. Joe Addabbo says the legal counsel is investigating whether allowing New York sports betting on rewards would require an amendment to the state constitution.
Any change in the state constitution is a three years old Process.
That means people in the state would not be able to place New York sports bets on such bets MVP, Cy Young or coach of the year until at least 2025.
“It’s currently under investigation,” Addabbo told LSR. “We started to get the ball rolling. look at it Let’s see if it’s possible given the interpretation of our state constitution.
“We just want to make sure it doesn’t open the state up to litigation or legal challenges.”
Prohibited sports betting in New York
Currently, New York prohibits bettors from placing bets on anything requires a vote.
But by banning premium futures markets, the Empire State is encouraging bettors to go elsewhere to place those bets.
This includes neighboring states that offer it (New Jersey and Pennsylvania,) as well as bookmakers and illegal offshore sites.
Expansion of the New York sports betting menu
Allow bettors to continue betting Aaron Richter for MVP or Brian Daboll for coach of the year could mean more online sports betting revenue for the state. Most states don’t separate award markets from sports-specific bets in their revenue reports, but the bets are a constant talking point in the sports betting media.
It would also provide another way for the state to expand its market aside from trying to increase the number of operators while lowering the tax rate.
“I want to add more opportunities to get closer to what they’re doing in (New) Jersey.” MP Gary Pretlow said LSR. “There are too many bets that cannot be made. I want to include things like that.”
Are premium futures a “sports bet”?
“Sports betting” is defined in the legal text as follows:
Betting on any sporting event or part thereof, or on the individual performance statistics of athletes participating in any sporting event or combination of sporting events, by any system or wagering method, including but not limited to personal communications and electronic communications via Internet websites, accessible via a mobile device or computer, and mobile device applications; provided, however, that sports betting includes, but is not limited to, single game betting, teaser betting, parlays, over-under betting, money line, pools, in-game betting, in-play betting, proposition betting and straight betting;
Addabbo said the following questions need to be answered:
- What is the language and the intention?
- Does it benefit New York residents and educational programs?
If a constitutional amendment is required…
A constitutional amendment must be passed in consecutive legislative periods (2023 and 2024.)
Then there would be a public vote Nov 2024.
“New Yorkers must vote for a constitutional amendment,” Addabbo said.
… and when no change is required
Addabbo determined the next steps:
- Does the NYS Gaming Commission say they want to make an administrative decision and include it?
- Or does the legislature now have to pass legislation proposing that these awards be included in online sports betting?
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