Legalizing sports betting in New York sits with US Supreme Court

ALBANY – The US Supreme
Court is weighing the possibility of allowing sports betting nationwide
and if it gives its approval, casinos in New York, including Resorts World
Catskills in Sullivan County, would be allowed to take bets on professional
and college sporting events.
State Senator John Bonacic (R, Mt. Hope), chairman of the Senate gaming
committee, said it is questionable if racinos with video lottery terminals,
off-track betting and the New York Racing Association would be allowed
to offer sports betting, but if OTBs would have their own racetracks and
offer VLTs, that may make it possible. He said lawmakers have given Catskill
OTB a method by which to offer sports betting and that would be to merge
with another OTB.
“It Catskill OTB had a racetrack, they could get VLTs, so we have encouraged them on a path that they could pursue,” Bonacic said. “We have had these talks for the last six months with them, but it is up to them to go close the deal.”  
Catskill Regional OTB President Donald Groth called “almost preposterous” for sports betting to be allowed in New York without off-track betting.
“I don’t think anyone is going to travel all the way to one of the hotels that were created to place a sports bet will continue to do it the way they have been doing it, which is not a healthy thing. So we need sports betting at OTB so that the sports betters can be accommodated and the revenue can flow.”
Groth has also been lobbying for Catskill Regional Off-Track Betting to assume the defunct OTB in New York City.  Bonacic said that is not likely to be approved in Albany.