Editor
Resorts World Bet has announced that it will be closing its New York mobile sportsbook, potentially signaling an intention to abandon online betting ambitions entirely. The parent company, Resorts World, continues to pursue a license to upgrade its physical New York property to a full-scale casino resort. Resorts World Bet launched in 2022 but never expanded outside the Empire State.
In an announcement on X, Resorts World Bet revealed it will be ceasing online operations on June 30. There was no explanation or reasoning provided with the released announcement. However, the US sports betting market has proven to be tough for smaller brands, especially those without an online casino product. A flurry of new sportsbook launches followed repeal of US sports betting prohibition in 2018, but a wave of closures followed just a few years later. Other brands to have given up on US sports betting include SI Sportsbook, Fubo Sportsbook, TwinSpires, and Unibet.
In 2023, Resorts World Bet began the necessary paperwork to enter the New Jersey market through a partnership with Ocean Resort Casino. That would have potentially allowed it to launch an online casino product to go with its sportsbook. Operators have learned that sports betting by itself without accompanying gambling options, is typically not a fruitful venture in the US markets. However, there has been little movement on that front since last October, and the shutdown of New York operations may mean the plan to launch in New Jersey has been scrapped as well.
Resorts World is a Favorite for a Downstate Casino License
Resorts World is still seen as a favorite to land one of the highly-coveted NYC casino licenses, thanks largely to their presence of their slot parlor in the city that already exists near JFK airport. The move to a full-scale casino resort would be an upgrade of the current facility. The same goes for MGM Resorts International, whereas the other hopefuls need to acquire land and build from scratch.
Its chances have continued to grow as some competitors, such as Wynn Resorts, have decided to pull out of the bidding process. Wynn cited political opposition and re-zoning issues for its decision to remove itself from the process.
Las Vegas Sands is another prominent bidder to pull out of the competition for a casino license. Its rationale is interesting in light of Resorts World’s decision to shut down its online sportsbook. Sands has a longstanding opposition to online gambling and stated that it sees the probable legalization of online casino gaming in New York as a threat to the viability of a new retail resort.
Las Vegas Sands was set to take over Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale and turn it into the site of their casino. It has been looking for another interested party to take over its bid, but time is short, as the application deadline is June 27.
New York iGaming Prospects Still Uncertain
Despite sweepstakes poker coming under fire in New York recently, many believe the Empire State will legalize online casinos in the near future. Sen. Joseph Addabbo has been spearheading that effort for many years, but the ongoing retail casino licensing process has been a distraction. He has said he hopes that once the licenses have been awarded, he can get the Governor and casino workers’ unions to the table to resolve some of the other issues around iGaming.
Sands’ fears of online gambling paint an interesting contrast with Resorts World Bet’s decision to shutter its online sportsbook. It still appears keen on its resorts plans despite giving up on the online channel.
