The New York Gaming Commission has reopened the tender process for an independent company to conduct a study into the expansion of the state’s gaming market.
The Commission originally launched a tender in June, setting a deadline of 31 July for companies to submit study proposals, with a view to having a report completed and published by the end of the year.
However, this appeared to fall behind schedule, with no announcement of any bids on the proposal deadline.
Rather than change the dates, the Commission has relaunched the tender, noting that having a report published quickly is no longer the sole focus.
The study will examine the impact of significantly expanding of New York’s land-based commercial casino market. The report will examine the impact of licensing up to three additional commercial venues, based on varying license fees and tax rates.
It must also include impact assessments of expanding sports betting beyond these casinos, in particular allowing video lottery terminal facilities to offer wagering, and the roll-out of mobile sports betting. A potential igaming launch must also be covered.
The new request for proposals (RFP) has given interested parties until 17 October to submit their bids, whichwill be unsealed, and a winner selected, that day. The Commission then expects work on the study to begin by 1 December, with a view to delivering the final report by 1 June, 2020.
The new tender also removes one area due to be researched under the first RFP. The original proposal had tasked the winner with examining the effects of the Seneca Nation of Indians’ right to exclusivity for video lottery gaming facilities within its lands, and the impact of losing these exclusive rights. This inquiry is not included in the new request for proposals.