As one of the states determined to build a powerful sports betting industry, New York has seen further advancements towards opening their first in-state sportsbook. This week, Caesars Entertainment Corporation finalized a deal with the Oneida Indian Nation at their three upstate casinos located between Syracuse and Utica.
Details Of The Deal
The alliance includes both licensing and branding at Turning Stone Resort Casino, Point Place Casino, and Yellow Brick Road Casino as both Caesars’ Executives and Oneida Tribe Representatives believe the launch will occur in 2019. Executive Vice President of Gaming and Interactive Entertainment at Caesars, Christian Stuart, said “the Oneida Indian Nation has already established Turning Stone as the preeminent New York gaming destination, which makes the property and its sister casinos fitting partners for Caesars”
“The Lounge With Caesars Sports” will be set to open pending approved legislation from NY lawmakers.
The Backstory On New York Sports Betting
Sports betting in New York has been legalized since 2013, when voters passed the referendum allowing it at the commercial casinos- even before the May 2018 appeal of PASPA. There were no regulations set in the state and the State Gaming Commission still must promulgate these standards; however, the Oneida Tribe has the right to offer the same types of gaming as the commercial casinos, per New York law.
The proposal must also be agreed upon by the National Indian Gaming Commission. Assemblyman Steve Hawley explained, “then it goes to the NYS Gaming Commission, who will put forth regulations and the Oneida Nation would have to accept those and implement those before they would start sports betting.”
Following Other Tribal Footsteps
The National Indian Gaming Commission has already seen the Santa Ana Star Casino in New Mexico and the Pear River Resort in Mississippi begin their own sportsbook ventures so here should be no different.
The Oneida Indian Nation is awaiting those guidelines but don’t think they are sitting idly. Already with plans, there is no hindering their excitement for a worthwhile agreement. “Caesars is in a class of its own. We are pleased to be joining forces with this world-renowned gaming leader … creat[ing] the perfect synergy for a meaningful long-term partnership, said Ray Halbritter, CEO of Oneida Nation Enterprises.
Surrounding states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island have already started their state-run industry as well and have been poaching New York residents in the meantime. The spread of legalization in the Mid-Atlantic Region is occurring instantly as Delaware, West Virginia, and D.C have all moved aggressively towards starting their own industry. These states were quick to launch and adopted regulations in 2018, something New York residents are hoping for sports betting in New York this time around.