The first four online sports betting operators were approved to launch on January 8th by the New York State Gambling Commission. The favoured four are Caesars Sportsbooks, DraftKings, FanDuel and Rush Street Interactive (via the BetRivers brand).
Back in November, the New York regulator approved nine operating licences and the remaining five will be able to launch, subject to satisfying State requirements. These five operators are Bally’s, BetMGM, PointsBet, Resorts World and Wynn Interactive.
Jason Robins, co-founder, CEO & Chairman of DraftKings, said: “We are excited to finally be able to offer millions of passionate New York sports fans the DraftKings mobile and online sportsbook.” And Richard Schwartz, CEO of RSI, added: “With the college football championship game and NFL playoffs approaching, and the NBA and NHL seasons in full swing, in addition to countless other sports and betting options available for play, fans have endless entertainment at their fingertips at BetRivers.”
The licensed sportsbooks will each pay the unusually high tax rate of 51% of GGR to the State, and this is on top of the one-time $25m licensing fee.
Finally, commenting on the launch, New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, said: “The announcement by the New York State Gaming Commission that four of the nine licensed mobile sports wagering operators have been approved to begin operations starting on January 8th 2022 is great news for New York in terms of revenue, new funding for education, addiction programs and youth sports, as well as new jobs.”
