Sports betting could soon become a reality in New York, one of the markets with great potential when it comes to wagering on sports events. However, as it was recently confirmed some of the eagerly anticipated features such as mobile and online sports wagering would not be part of the US$175 billion budget for fiscal 2019.

Senator Joseph Addabbo recently pointed out that the state Senate and Assembly are to be held responsible for the lack of mobile sports betting regulation in this year’s budget. He stated that the governor is willing to make the step and bring future sports wagering up to date with other states offering online betting. However, the Assembly did not appear to be eager to give green light to the idea.

Budget Does Not Include Mobile Sports Wagering

Due to this hesitation, online sports betting language missed the mark and would not be part of sports betting launch this year. Previous discussions on the topic have highlighted one of the main issues with this proposal being the fact that a constitutional amendment would be needed for mobile sports betting greenlighting.

Such development would have meant a policy issue that could be easily avoided for the time being. According to the Senator, the exclusion of mobile sports wagering would mean some US$100 million allowed to slip away. The final decision came as a surprise for some local lawmakers. The addition of mobile sports wagering was considered a modernization step making New York a competitive market.

The first days of May could see the first of several hearings in the Senate Racing, Wagering and Gaming Committee. Sen Addabbo aims to introduce an independent bill that could make mobile sports betting possible in New York down the road. This gaming activity would be available at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, Rivers Casino in Schenectady, del Lago Casino in Tyre near Rochester, and Tioga Downs near Binghamton.

June 19 Deadline Could See a Change

The time and efforts this regulation take mean that players have no legal opportunity to bet on March Madness or the upcoming baseball season. A non-existent regulated wagering field within New York several months into 2019 means that many of the people eager to bet on exciting live games currently in progress would eventually opt for illegal gambling.

Many of them could even go so far as to pour their money into New Jersey’s wagering sector. It should be taken into account that DraftKings and FanDuel, giants in the Daily Fantasy Sports sector acquired permits for operation in New York once sports wagering becomes legal. No mobile betting is a considerable blow on their operation in the area.

Nearby Meadowlands partners with FanDuel in its wagering offerings and it would be one of the first stops for players. Locals have the chance to voice their opinion within a 60-day period and offer recommendations that would make the field better for them. June 19 is the deadline for legislature’s spring session and a mobile betting bill could see the light of day in the weeks ahead of that date.