Sports betting, lottery, and online poker

Five states saw some activity in regards to gambling legislation over the past week.

New York’s mobile sports betting saga continues after Governor Andrew Cuomo missed the deadline for the state budget on Thursday. Now, a tribal dispute is creating further issues.

the first governor to legalize sports betting this year

On Monday, Gov. Mark Gordon of Wyoming became the first US governor to legalize sports betting this year. Meanwhile, Louisiana lawmakers took their first steps towards a legal market after pre-filing two sports wagering bills.

Outside of sports betting, Alabama senators could have their say on lottery legislation this week, while North Dakota’s senate has voted against an online poker inclusion on the 2022 ballot box.

Complex negotiations in New York

At the beginning of 2021, New York governor Andrew Cuomo expressed newfound support for mobile sports betting in response to a state budget deficit.

To legalize mobile betting within the year, Cuomo must include a market within his state budget for 2022. On Monday, the governor increased hope for that inclusion, finally confirming the state had reached a “conceptual agreement” five days after the budget’s official deadline.

the county and state coud lose up to $70m in annual payments

While state legislators may be in agreement, securing the approval of the Oneida Indian Nation is proving more difficult. Last week, the central New York tribe learned that new plans could see it excluded from the mobile market. As a result, Oneida County executives warned that the county and state coud lose up to $70m in annual payments from the tribe’s slot revenue.

New York budget director Robert Mujica has since told reporters that the state supports a mobile market including the Oneida Indian Nation. However, by Monday evening it was still unclear whether the state had reached an agreement with the tribe.

Wyoming leads the way

Wyoming could launch legal sports betting as early as September 1 after Gov. Mark Gordon signed HB 133 into law on Monday. Now, it is up to the Wyoming Gaming Commission to finalize its rules within the short time frame.

The legislation will legalize online-only sports betting, allowing for five online sportsbook licensees. Each permit will cost $100,000 and is renewable after five years for a fee of $50,000 per year. The bill permits wagering on professional, collegiate, and Olympic sports with a legal betting age of 18. Operators will pay a tax of 10% on sports betting revenue.

Two fresh bills in Louisiana

In Louisiana, Senator Cameron Henry and Senator Patrick Page Cortez have set the wheels in motion for legal sports betting. The lawmakers pre-filed almost identical sports wagering bills SB 195 and SB 202 on Friday.

Both bills allow for retail and mobile sports betting, with in-person registration required for mobile sportsbook users. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board would oversee both markets, which would include betting on professional and collegiate sports.

won’t see a legal market until next year

Louisiana’s legislative session will run from April 12 to June 10 this year. Although state voters approved sports betting in November 2020, lawmakers have since said Louisiana won’t see a legal market until next year.

Alabama lottery set for vote

Although an Alabama gambling expansion bill fell short on the Senate floor last month, new lottery legislation is slowly making progress. The Senate Tourism Committee approved Senator Jim McClendon’s legislation last month, and Senators could vote on the bill as early as this week.

Speaking with AP News, McClendon said he plans to meet with Gov. Kay Ivey and other lawmakers to discuss the bill on Tuesday. He also expressed confidence in the bill’s support. “I sure have heard from many, many, many people that just want to be able to vote on a lottery,” the Senator commented.

Online poker falls short in North Dakota

Plans to introduce online poker in North Dakota derailed last Tuesday after the Senate voted unanimously against its inclusion on the 2022 general election ballot.

Rep. Jim Kasper’s bill gained the House’s approval in March. However, the upper chamber in North Dakota has typically shown a strong opposition to gambling bills.

House Concurrent Resolution 3012 would have given state residents their say on the vertical’s legalization in November next year.