Seems like the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee is picking up speed coming around the home stretch in New York. With less than a month to go before the end of the legislative session, a few proposals are moving forward to the Finance Committee.
Bill S8777 permits sportsbooks to offer season-long performance-based awards, according to PlayNY.
Certain awards such as MVP and Cy Young will remain outlawed because of the method of selection.
Here are some that will be available under the bill:
- NBA Hustle Awards: determined by “hustle stats,” which track things like diving for loose balls, taking charges, deflections, contesting shots, etc.
- NFL Deacon Jones Awards: given to the league’s sack leader
- NHL Art Ross Trophy: given to the league points leader
- NHL William M. Jennings Trophy: awarded to the goaltender of the team that allowed the fewest goals
- NHL Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy: awarded to the league’s leading goal-scorer
Other aspects of the proposed legislation include bets on such non-play actions like coin tosses.
S9044, from state Senator Joseph Addabbo, deals with daily fantasy sports (DFS). One of the highlights sets the age to participate at 21. The minimum age speaks to the belief among some legislators that DFS is more gambling and less skill.
At least two DFS sites support the legislation, according to the Times-Union.
Stacie Stern, senior vice president of government affairs for Underdog Fantasy, referred to the bill as “thoughtful and detailed and will bring clear definitions and rules of the road to operators and regulators.”
PrizePicks also backs the bill even with a $5 million licensing fee.
S9236 amends state law to allocate 1 percent of the New York sports betting tax revenue for problem gambling, 1 percent to youth sports and education funding and another 1 percent for youth team sports funding.
The bill also mandates $6 million each fiscal year for problem gambling education and treatment.
