New York to Partake in Sports Betting Action, Oneida Nation Ahead of the Game

On June 10, the New York State Gaming Commission approved final regulations for sports betting at upstate casinos. The committee voted 6-0 to green light legal sports betting — on-premises only — at Tribal properties as well as at four Upstate New York commercial casinos. Sports wagering will be permitted on all sports, except for collegiate match-ups.

While up to seven Tribal casinos likely have the option to introduce sportsbooks, the Oneida Nation is the only Tribe that’s prepared for the passage of these regulations, striking a partnership with Caesars Entertainment and, most recently, hiring a Las Vegas sports betting veteran as its Director of Sportsbook Operations: Justin Arnett.

Previously, Arnett managed daily operations of the race and sports books at The Venetian, The Palazzo and inside Lagasse’s Stadium. His past performance also includes work on the sports book teams at the Hard Rock Casino Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, the M Resort, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, reported the Oneida Dispatch.

“Our new sports books will exceed the already high standards of excellence that have established our venues as New York’s preeminent gaming destinations,” said Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Nation Enterprises CEO Ray Halbritter. “By bringing in a highly-experienced professional like Justin, who knows this industry inside and out, and through our partnership with Caesars, we will bring the best of sports betting to Upstate New York.”

Earlier this month, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) issued its approval to the Oneida Indian Nation to offer sports betting at its three Tribal gaming venues, once New York State issues its final regulations.

“The all-new sportsbooks are slated to open at Turning Stone and Point Place this summer, with Yellow Brick Road opening later, as part of larger renovation project announced last week,” the Oneida Indian Nation stated.

The Oneida Nation intends to hire more than 60 people to staff and run the sportsbooks.

The Seneca Nation and Mohawk Nation operate the other four casinos in New York, including Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino and Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino, as well as Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, respectively. So far, neither Tribe has announced intention to apply for a sportsbetting license.

New York is set to become the fourteenth state to legalize sports betting, though bets will be land-based for now, in contrast to its neighbor New Jersey, which allows mobile betting. While a mobile betting bill is up for consideration in New York, it’s unlikely to be addressed before the legislative session ends on June 19, not to mention New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has voiced his opposition to mobile wagering.

New York sports betting operators will pay a 10 percent tax on revenue from wagers to the state.

Similar to the Oneida Nation, the state’s four commercial casinos have already entered partnerships with sportsbook providers: del Lago Resort and Casino with DraftKings Sportsbook, Tioga Downs with FanDuel Sportsbook, Rivers with Rush Street Gaming, and Resorts World Catskills with bet365.

Now NYSGC rules and regulations go to the State Register to be finalized and published, necessary before the state can approve a casino’s sports betting license. It’s anticipated the State Register will publish the rules 15 days later, so on June 26 at earliest.

For all participating New York State casinos, it will be a race to get sportsbooks live before football season.