FanDuel has been swimming in money throughout the state of New Jersey since legalized sports betting became part of the culture just one year ago. Now, the company has its first location in New York, which finally got sports betting legalized last week. New York Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo from NY District 123 made the ceremonial first bet as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The well-known sports betting/fantasy sports company opened a sportsbook at Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY, on Friday, making it the first one in the Southern Tier of New York. FanDuel’s newest location is the second one in the state to become operable after Rivers Casino Resort in Schenectady began accepting sports betting wagers two days before that.
According to SBC Americas, the sportsbook will feature eight betting windows, 27 video displays including a large video wall, 14 self-service betting kiosks from IGTPlayDigital, three sports tickers, 12 lounge seats, seven high tables, two drink rails and seating for over 50 people.
The retail location at Tioga Downs is now one of four upstate New York casinos that are allowed to offer sports betting within the state’s borders. This 2,600-square-foot venue will be located near the main entrance of the Tioga Downs Casino. At the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey, the FanDuel Sportsbook is located in a similar spot.
Hoping For Same Success
Many now wonder if FanDuel will see similar results in New York, compared to the booming success they’ve had in New Jersey.
“It’s one of the first retail locations in New York, and we couldn’t be more excited about it,” said FanDuel senior director of retail operations Jeff Lowich. “I think the sportsbook is going to do really well. There’s not a lot of competition close by.”
Tioga Downs Casino Resort and harness track is located in Nichols, which is approximately 30 miles southwest of Binghamton. Since that location is close to northern Pennsylvania, Lowich expects to get a lot of their business from residents of their neighboring state.
The FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, NJ, opened its doors in 2018 and has become the leader in its field. For comparison purposes, FanDuel at the Meadowlands had total revenue of $12,731,810 through June 2019, while second-place William Hill Sportsbook at Monmouth Park had $3,139,275 of revenue in that timeframe.
Of course, the FanDuel location at the Meadowlands is in a much larger population base than William Hill at the Jersey Shore. Nonetheless, that wide of a gap shouldn’t disparage the New York location from having optimism in their venture going forward.
FanDuel will be partnering with Jeff Gural, who operates both the Meadowlands Racetrack and Tioga Downs.
“Our partnership with FanDuel at the Meadowlands has surpassed expectations,” said Gural. “Now that legislation in New York has been passed, we look forward to bringing the fun and excitement of wagering on sports to the Upstate region.”
New York still doesn’t have mobile sports betting, and that’ll likely hold back potential profits that the state could see. In the first year of legalized sports betting, New Jersey saw 81 percent of its $3 billion-plus sports betting revenue come from mobile platforms.
