NYSGC Releases List of Mobile Betting Bid Packages

The process of submitting bids packages to the New York Gaming Commission has concluded on August 9, 2021. The commission then released a list of applications from the potential candidates for the platform providers and the operator slots that will enter the NYS online gaming space. The list included prominent gaming names like Betfair Interactive, Hillside, DraftKings, BetMGM, and several others.

Mobile sports betting was officially included in the budget plan this April by the local legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo. The platform was considered as the NYS budget had suffered from major drops due to the occurrence of the unprecedented situation. The local government is optimistic that the gaming change could provide new ways of bringing revenue to the state.

Possible Partners

 

The list from the gaming commission for candidates of the two platform providers includes the New York-based Hillside cooperating with bet365, and Score Digital Sports Venture Inc. collaborating with theScore Bet. However, neither of the pairs has identified a partner. The commission will have up to December to review all candidates and provide a final decision.

Sports Information Services Ltd. has filed two applications to the commission in both doing business with Kambi. However, the two proposals are with different partners, the first one with FGB Enterprises LLC (Fanatics Sportsbook) and Penn Sports Interactive LLC. The second proposal includes American Wagering Inc (Caesars Sportsbook); Empire Resorts Inc (Resorts World); PointsBet New York (PointsBet); Rush Street Interactive NY (Rush Street Interactive); and WSI US LLC (WynnBET.

Betfair Interactive US LLC has also sent out a bid package with FanDuel Sportsbook, and it features Bally’s Interactive (Bally Bet); BetMGM LLC; and DraftKings as partners. TSG Interactive US Services Ltd and FOX Bet have filed a mutual application to the commission however, at the current time there are no designated partners in the proposal.

More Info on RFA

The New York State Gaming Commission started its Request for Applicants with a little delay on July 9, 2021, in order to select two platform providers who will partner with at least four gaming operators for the mobile sports betting platform. The commission will assess candidates on several different factors such as market expertise, integrity, sustainability, experience, willingness to partner with Native American tribes, and tax revenue share percentage with the state.

At the beginning of August, the gaming entity released an additional Q&A on mobile sports betting as several applicants had some unanswered questions. One operator was curious if they will be allowed to leave a platform provider if they had failed to meets the negotiated objectives and requirements. To this, the commission responded that it can be done in such a scenario.

Cuomo’s Resignation

However, a lot of question has been raised for the future of mobile sports betting as Governor Cuomo resigned from his position this week. State Senator Joseph Addabbo, assured fans that the change will not affect the process, and it should be operational before the Super Bowl. He also said that he has no public rooting interest in the six submitted bids for mobile sports betting providers as he needs the most competent one from Day 1.

Source: “Applicants in Response to Request for Applications for Mobile Sports Wagering Platform Providers”, Gaming.NY.Gov, August 9, 2021