The Oneida Indian Nation of New York has partnered with five other groups to bid to operate online sports betting across the Empire State according to details that the tribal Gaming Commission released about applicants.
They are partnered with a proposal led by Kambi, a sports betting firm based in Europe and including Caesars Entertainment, Resorts World, Rush Street Interactive, PointsBet, WynnBET and the St. Regis Mohawk nation.
The commission hopes to issue at least two licenses for platforms in time for applicants to begin taking wagers late this year or early 2022 in time for the Super Bowl in February. Each platform will be able to partner with one or more operators, which will take the wagers. Each license will cost $25 million and wagers will be taxed at 50 percent.
The nation is hoping to protect its monopoly on gaming in the 10-county Central New York region. Representatives of the tribe have expressed concerns about the state’s plans to offer mobile sports betting.
The exclusivity is tied to the $70 million the tribe pays to the state. According to the proposal the nation would be willing to waive exclusivity for online gaming if their partners are selected for the license.
Currently the only kind of sports betting in New York is at the state’s four commercial casinos and seven tribal casinos.
Some have criticized the New York model’s tight market and limited number of operators, saying they will mean less revenue than is generated in other states.
