Despite the very successful launch of New York online sports betting, neighboring states do not feel the pain.
A Connecticut The casino manager provided an explanation – a broader online offering. Namely, Connecticut residents can play online casino games in addition to sports betting.
Speaking of National Indian Games Association conference at Anaheim, California., Anika HowardVice President of Brand and Digital Marketing at Foxwood Resort Casinomentioned:
“It’s still early days but we haven’t seen too much [of an impact]. New York is a very big feeder market for Foxwoods and for the tribe in terms of people coming to play. And I think again we have the combination of retail and online [sports betting] and online games make a big difference because we always see a good group of people betting on [the border] leading to New York.
New York surrounded by online casino states
Everyone assumed that the border states were taking advantage of the New York clientele in recent years.
As the Empire State giant prepared to launch online sports betting in New York, gambling industries in bordering states had to worry about losing customers.
Although New York quickly jumped to the top of the US states when it comes to sports betting management, the surrounding states did not suffer.
But the three states with sports betting around New York — Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania – all also have an online casino.
Early results have helped allay fears in neighboring states:
- The March sports betting handle in New Jersey and Pennsylvania has increased significantly compared to March 2021.
- Pennsylvania set an American record for online casino with $142.7 million gross gaming revenue in March.
- New Jersey nearly matched that total with $140 million.
- Although Connecticut only started its online offerings in October, it had its best management month in January, the month of New York’s launch.
“I think the fact that we have a larger supply helps us in that way,” Howard said. “We’ll be watching it closely as New York is definitely looking to move beyond online gambling, and the story could change.”
Lawmakers will consider iGaming more seriously in 23
New York Senator Joe Addabbo introduced legislation with online casino and online poker this year. But his intention was more to engage the discussion for the future.
Addabbo said PlayNY the inclusion of legal online casino gambling in New York will be its Priority #1 for the 2023-24 NYS fiscal year budget.
“There’s so much more New York can do to stop other states from embezzling money,” Addabbo said. “That’s why I pushed for iGaming as the next step. It’s just a natural progression.
In the second half of the year, Addabbo plans to delve into industry commentary on online casino legislation. He then hopes to obtain Governor Kathy Hochul to include iGaming in it executive budget in January. This year, Hockel signed a budget bill that included expedite three casino licenses in the downstate.
“I really appreciate that his administration is so open to talking about these gambling issues when the last governor was not,” Addabbo said. “Now that we have Governor Hochul, it’s so refreshing that I can have these conversations about expanding the game in New York in a methodical way.”
If New York legalizes online casinos, Howard still thinks Foxwoods can lure New Yorkers across the border with promotions for its resort casino. Foxwoods is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nationwhich is associated with DraftKings.
“I think the other interesting dynamic is that when someone signs up for DraftKings, they can sign up for DraftKings in New York, but if they come to Connecticut and play, that revenue comes back to us,” said Howard said. “So we still have things we can do in terms of cross-promoting and recouping some of that revenue in case later – hopefully much, much later – we see a different trend.”
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