ALBANY (1010 WINS) -- New York state residents may soon be able to place bets on sporting events using their smartphone.
But before it happens, the state Constitution may need to be changed, so state lawmakers held a hearing in Albany Wednesday about implenting mobile sports betting. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said that a Constitutional amendment would require voter approval, though.
The hearing, held by the Democrat-led state Senate, drew gambling lobbyists, lawyers and representatives from the NBA and PGA.
Proponents of mobile sports betting argue that the state could make hundreds of millions of dollars from it -- instead of it going to illegal wagers or to New Jersey, which has legalized sports betting.
If and when new regulations are finallized, New York state's four non-Native American-owned casinos will begin to offer sports wagers.
Such a bill would not only authorize bets on mobile devices, but at sports venues, as well.