One New York legislator wants all NY sports betting operators to follow the same rules when it comes to injuries.
A 11414 from Assemblymember Jordan Wright would dictate how operators handle injured or withdrawn players, requiring those bets to be voided instead of graded as losses. Right now, those decisions are dictated by sportsbooks, with multiple operators offering some kind of injury plan.
It is just one of multiple bills recently introduced bills that look to add guardrails to NY sports betting.
Sen. Nathalia Fernandez introduced a pair of bills that would restrict billboard advertising for a variety of products including gambling while Sen. Andrew Gounardes introduced a bill to prohibit mobile sports betting on New York’s college campuses.
Other bills this session include A 9343, which would ban live bets. Another bill, A 7962, would put limits on how often bettors can fund accounts and when sportsbook operators can run ads.
Wright calls for ‘fair play’
Wright’s legislation aims to create what he calls “fair play policies” for bets that he thinks should be voided.
The bill calls for a policy that adjustments, refunds or voids bets “when circumstances beyond the control of an authorized sports bettor compromise the validity or settlement of a sports wager.”
Other situations include when a player does not play or withdraws, an event is canceled or suspended, a statistical error or scoring correction is made, and other circumstances determined by regulators.
The void must be automatic:
Such fair play policy shall: (A) be applied without requiring action by an authorized sports bettor where reasonably practicable; (B) be applied consistently and in a nondiscriminatory manner to similarly situated authorized sports bettors; (C) require that the terms and conditions of such policy are clearly disclosed to authorized sports bettors prior to sports wager placement; and (D) be readily accessible on a mobile sports wagering licensee’s website and platform.
NY sports betting billboard restrictions
Fernandez introduced S 10400, which would prohibit displaying or maintaining billboard advertisements for sports betting or gambling. Language includes casino gambling, sweepstakes, fantasy sports and lotteries.
It also applies to alcohol, nicotine, tobacco and vapes. The language applies to ads on outdoor facilities visible in public.
Meanwhile, S 10401 requires billboard advertisements for those products be removed on the last day of their contract and replaced with a public service announcement about potential harms of the products.
NY college campus sports betting ban
Gounardes’ S 10470 would prohibit online sports betting on college campuses.
The goal is to limit “exposure to gambling for college-aged students” and “reduces distractions in academic settings.”
New York’s sports betting law prohibits betting on in-state collegiate teams. The state also does not allow college prop betting.
Earlier this year, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed using biometrics when logging into sports betting accounts. The New York State Gaming Commission proposed that change, with a comment period ending last week. The aim is to further safeguard accounts from users under the age of 21.
Several states, including Illinois, Massachusetts and Ohio, have rules against advertising sports betting to college-aged students or on campuses.
