Oneida Nation reveals details about future sportsbooks as sports betting legalization debate gains momentum in New York
The Oneida Indian Nation released on Tuesday renderings of th planned sportsbooks at its casinos across New York. The tribe unveiled last week a partnership with Las Vegas gaming and hospitality giant Caesars Entertainment for the provision of sports gambling at its properties.
The deal is yet to be approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission. The Oneida Nation will also not be able to go live with sports betting before the practice is regulated in New York, which many believe will happen this year.
Gambling on sports became possible in the country after the US Supreme Court struck down in May 2018 a long-standing federal ban on the practice. Seven states legalized sports betting following the landmark SCOTUS ruling and more are expected to follow suit this year.
The Oneida Nation said yesterday that The Lounge with Caesars Sports at its Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona will feature a 48-by-9-foot curved screen that will be visible from three sides. There will also be 12 65-inch and five 85-inch screens around the facility to make sure that visitors are all at the center of sports action.
Point Place Casino’s sportsbook will feature a 24-by-6.75-foot primary video wall as well as 23 65-inch and 11 85-inch screens. The casino floor will undergo an expansion to accommodate the betting facility.
Last but not least, Yellow Brick Road Casino in Chittenango will see a complete renovation later this year, including the addition of a betting lounge, upgrades to the existing table games, and other features that will aim to improve gamblers’ experience.
In addition, all three future sports betting facilities will offer full-service bars, betting windows, VIP areas with dedicated screens, and many more, the Oneidas said on Tuesday.
Status of Sports Betting in New York
The Oneida Nation’s partnership with Caesars will allow the federally recognized tribe to delve into the lucrative US sports betting market and will secure the Las Vegas casino giant with entry into the New York gambling space.
However, despite ongoing preparations the two parties will have to wait for a little while before being able to launch sports gambling in the three New York-based casinos. Their partnership needs regulatory approval from the National Indian Gaming Commission. It is believed that the regulatory body will give the deal the green light.
In addition, while residents of the state voted back in 2013 to legalize sports betting via a referendum, the actual regulation of the practice is yet to take place. Following the referendum, the New York Legislature enacted a law that legalized sports betting at the state’s four commercial casinos that were yet to be built at the time.
Under that law, casinos can only accept in-person bets and cannot take wagers on New York college teams and on sporting events that take place in the state.
Last year’s SCOTUS ruling prompted the introduction of a sports betting bill that aimed to clarify important details and allow the start of sports wagering in the state. That bill failed in the Legislature, but Sen. Joseph Addabbo pre-filed a bill back in December to have it considered during this year’s legislative session, which starts on today, January 9.
Among other things, the bill calls for the authorization of digital betting, includes a payout to professional sports leagues, and mandates that locally licensed sports betting operators purchase official league data from leagues and their partners.
The Oneida Nation has previously said that it does not need a new legislation to provide sports betting as under its compact with New York, its casinos are allowed to add new gaming services to their existing offering as long as these are offered elsewhere in the state. The tribe plans to adopt sports betting under this provision in its compact.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the day’s top casino news stories.
Related News
Genting Subsidiaries Sell $1 Billion Bond to Finance Vegas Casino Construction
Wynn Executives Concealed Sexual Misconduct Allegations against Steve Wynn
