How far off in the future is onsite sports betting at the Seneca Nation’s three casinos in Western New York?
Earlier this week, the online job recruiter Indeed posted ads seeking applicants for sports bookers for Seneca Gaming, which runs the Seneca Nation’s gaming empire.
Seneca Nation spokesman Phil Pantano said, “The Seneca Nation is making preparations to offer sports wagering at our casino properties, and we look forward to making this amenity available to our patrons in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca.”
But when?
“We will offer more specific details regarding our plans once we are ready to do so,” Pantano said.
If Seneca Gaming is seeking applicants for sports betting, can it be far behind?
Also, the Senecas and New York state are at odds over the $255 million award by an arbitration panel that heard both sides’ arguments in the case and ruled 2-1 for the state.
The Senecas claimed the 21-year gaming compact made no mention of continuing revenue sharing payments from slot machines, absolving them of the payments in early 2017.
The Seneca Nation filed suit in federal court in Buffalo because the arbitration did not involve the U.S. Department of the Interior.
It’s not the onsite sports betting that casinos across the state are wagering big on, it’s online and mobile sports betting.
Draftkings CEO Jason Robins said Monday, “I’m hoping it happens soon. We’re working hard behind the scenes to try to work with lawmakers to get it done. Hopefully, it will happen in the next year or so.”
In New Jersey, where a law was approved last year legalizing sports betting, the state has become the most popular location for online and mobile betting.
Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have voted to legalize sports betting.
There is currently no way to legally play online casino games in New York, as sites are not allowed to operate or host servers in the state.
New York has plenty of casinos and racetracks, but have not legalized sportsbook betting, online casinos or online poker. State lawmakers considered sportsbook and online gambling bills this year, but neither passed.
New York voters authorized onsite sports betting in a referendum in 2013. It limits onsite sports betting to four Upstate sites and tribal casinos.
The first New York casino to offer onsite sports betting was Rivers Casino in Schenectady in July.
(Contact reporter Rick Miller at rmiller@oleantimesherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @RMillerOTH)
