Mobile sports betting companies say first weekend ‘exceeded expectations’

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — It’s been a few days now since Mobile Sports Betting launched here in New York, and already it’s been a complete success for all online Sportsbooks.

News10NBC took a look at some facts and figures. Plus the top five sports that were bet on during the weekend.

People wasted no time placing their bets when mobile sports betting officially went online Saturday morning. Some may have lost money, but sportsbooks did come out as the clear winner.

It’s been non-stop action for mobile online sportsbooks here in New York handling tens of thousands of sports bets every hour. News10NBC talked to DraftKings Director of Race and Sports Operations Johnny Avello about his company’s weekend online launch.

"I can tell you that when you look at the jurisdictions that we’re in which is 15 plus, New York was right there near the top, and that’s after only being up two days. It takes, you know, most jurisdictions time for everybody to get on board," Avello said.

DraftKings was one of four online betting sites that launched in New York just before the NFL Playoffs. One of the busiest betting periods of the year.

"This timing was perfect," Avello said. "We caught the last week of the NFL. Saturday had two important NFL games, and then we catch the National Championship tonight."

Rush Street Interactive Chief Operating Officer and BetRivers.com Matt Stetz told us what New Yorkers can expect.

"We as a regulated operator we have to go through audits. We have to report to the regulators. So in New York, it can feel safer now to place bets online. The money will come in, and out. The payouts will be much faster. We approve about 80% of our payouts within seconds of the requests," Stetz said.

Speaking of money, Sportsbooks we’ve contacted would not discuss any financial information, but they all have similar plans as they head into the first full week of online betting.

"To beat the first weekend by quite a margin," Stetz said. "We have a full week to attract new customers, and tell them about our great offers, and our transparency, and no gimmicks."

The FanDuel Group released a statement saying, "The first weekend exceeded all of their expectations."

Its top five sports for New York bettors were Football, Basketball, Hockey, Soccer, and Tennis. The big news is, FanDuel has been named as the official mobile sports betting partner of the Buffalo Bills.