This was some really good news for New Yorkers who had. Sports betting licenses would range from $3.2 million to $20 million and be offered to brick-and-mortar facilities and to online operators, with taxes of 15%. The Rivers Sportsbook in Rivers Casino & Resort, Schenectady, was officially launched on 16th July 2019.

Revenues raised from the new casinos, the selling of sports betting licenses, and a higher tax on video gambling machines would go toward funding the vertical components of a long-term capital infrastructure plan, such as state building renovations.

Under that bill, casinos, race tracks and sports facilities that seat more than 17,000 people - such as Wrigley Field or United Center - would also be eligible to buy sports betting licenses under the bill, making Illinois one of about a dozen states to legalize the practice after a U.S. Sports gambling was legalized last June when Illinois lawmakers approved the gambling expansion bill, which included new casinos, sports betting and other additions. 'We're excited to add this top-flight amenity to what is already a premier destination,' said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., the company that co-owns Rivers. BetRivers will launch the site and mobile app later this year.