State legislatures across the country are winding down their sessions. Some have already ended.
This week sports gaming legislation officially died in two states. Today we could learn its fate in two more.
Here’s a roundup of what’s happened in the waning days of state legislative action and who has lost out on gaming this year, and who still has a chance.
States Still In The Game
New York
New York is hours away from a decision on whether it will include mobile sports betting in its new fiscal year budget.
The budget deadline was April 1, but key issues — including legalization of mobile sportsbooks — are expected to delay final passage by at least 24 hours.
The news out of Albany is that New York can expect mobile sports betting to be included in the fiscal year (FY) 2022 state budget as a hybrid. That would likely combine a lottery-based sportsbook model (which Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants) and private partnership model.
No final word yet on how many operators or skins are expected, but key lawmakers including Sen. Joe Addabbo say they are still pushing for as many as they can get.
Wyoming
Both Chambers of Wyoming’s Legislature passed sports gaming legislation.
House Bill 133 allocates a portion of the funds raised from sports gambling to go toward the state’s health department to target anti-gambling addiction measures. A state analysis posted to the legislature’s website estimates sports gaming could be nearly a $450 million business in Wyoming.
Under the legislation the Wyoming Gaming Commission would have several months to set up a plan to administer online gaming.
The measure now goes to the governor’s desk to await his signature. Governor Mark Gordon (R) has until midnight tonight to sign or veto the legislation.
Losers
Georgia
The Peach State looked like it was close to passing legislation to bring about sports gaming, but efforts failed as lawmakers became tangled up in passing bills related to voting rights and election reform.
A measure that would have put the issue before Georgia voters in a referendum failed to get a full vote in the House before Sine Die — the end of the legislative session. The measure had passed the Senate.
Kansas
While things could change, all indications are that sports gaming is dead in Kansas this year.
The House voted down legislation this week that would have brought casinos to the state and created a revenue stream for the state with at least 14% all funds raised going back to state coffers.
House Speaker Ron Ryckman (R) told local reporters there were too many concerns from different groups for the bill to make it through.
“There are so many conflicting opinions,” he said, according to the Topeka-Capitol Journal.
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