RE: Change in Trading Pattern Today?20 Jun 2018 12:17
ROCHESTER, NY (WROC-TV) - - A push to make sports gambling legal in New York is coming down to its final day.
There's a pair of matching bills in both the Senate and Assembly that would allow wagering on mobile devices as well as at casinos and OTB parlors if passed.
It's not looking like a solid bet that either will be passed before the current legislative session comes to a close on Wednesday.
Batavia Downs Chief Operating Officer Michael Nolan is more optimistic than most.
"We're hopeful that we can be part of this and make it happen. I think we're at about a 50/50 chance right now" said Nolan.
Currently, you can't place wagers anywhere in the state but that could change shortly even without any legislation passed.
A 2013 state law allows sports betting at four upstate casinos including the del Lago pending the gaming commission coming out with rules and regulations.
del Lago is in no rush though telling us in a statement: "We're still waiting to see what the legislature does before session ends. And then we will wait to see what the gaming commission does."
They won't be the only ones. Batavia Downs and other OTB parlors will be paying close attention with the future of mobile wagering and sports betting in New York on the line.
"If this don't pass, we're going to lose a lot of bettors to neighboring states and then we'll have to give it a run in January when they come back into session but if it doesn't pass by Wednesday, there will be no local sports betting here in Rochester and Buffalo" said Nolan.
Nolan went on to say that Batavia Downs had representatives in Albany today pushing for a vote. He also added that they would be ready to go with sports betting be the start of the NFL season if legislation passes.