Digital Wager Wire highlights the most significant events affecting the domestic and international sports betting and gaming industries each week throughout the year.
The Final Three
The New York Gaming Facility Location Board approved three resort casino projects, and it is expected that all will be blessed by the New York Gaming Commission (NYGC) for those coveted downstate casino licenses. On December 1st, the long-awaited decision was announced, with the Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, Bally’s Bronx, and Resorts World New York all securing approval.
The process began in January 2023, and originally, there were 12 bidders, but that number dwindled as community opposition, zoning board objections, and EPA red tape derailed many of them. And the biggest surprise came on October 14th when MGM Resorts withdrew its Empire City bid, whose full casino license was almost a foregone conclusion, as they are currently operating as a lavish slot parlor with electronic table games.
“The downstate market is among the strongest in the nation, supported by population density, income levels, and tourism,” board member Greg Reimers said. “The sizable population within a two-hour drive will support sustained visitation supplemented by domestic and international travelers. Each proposal presents a strong competitive positioning, based on brand strength, amenities, and facility design.”
Resorts World New York is already functioning as a slot parlor and has reported that it will open its full gaming assortment to the public in March 2026. However, $7.5 billion is slotted for renovations and additions, including a 50,000-square-foot gaming floor, 2,000 hotel rooms, and a 7,000-seat entertainment venue, which will take several years to complete.
Underdog Withdraws Missouri Sports Betting License
The Show Me State finally launched its long-anticipated mobile sports betting industry on December 1st, but one licensee has decided to withdraw from the market and instead focus its efforts on the increasingly popular prediction sports event trading platform.
Underdog, one of the nation’s most popular daily fantasy sports apps, has withdrawn its license and chosen a different path, understanding that operating a sports event contract trading platform is in direct conflict with the wishes of the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC).
Mike Leara, executive director of the MGC, stated, “They (Underdog) have decided to go to that market. It’s not regulated at any level compared to what traditional sports betting is regulated, and obviously, there’s no tax on it.”
The legal battle between sports prediction markets like Kalshi, among others, and state gaming authorities continues to rage. The prediction platforms argue they are governed by the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and not state gaming regulators.
Underdog, like DraftKings and FanDuel, has decided to launch its own prediction platform in collaboration with Crypto.com, but maintains its DFS license in Missouri.
“Underdog withdrew their application for a sports wagering license, but they maintain their fantasy sports contest operator license in good standing,” explained another member of the Missouri Gaming Commission.
Although DraftKings and FanDuel have promised not to launch their respective prediction platforms in states in which they are operating their mobile sportsbooks, it does allow them to enter markets like California and Texas that have not legalized sports betting.
