Game on! Mobile sports betting can start in New York on Saturday

 Get ready! New York, Saturday: Mobile betting on sports can begin

Wanna bet? Put your money where it's at.

New York's Gaming Commission announced Thursday that you can place sports bets online or mobile starting Saturday morning.

It means that bettors may place wagers for the National Football League's last week and for the upcoming playoffs as well.

The Gaming Commission announced that four licensed Mobile Sports Wagering Operators - Caesars Sportsbook (DraftKings), FanDuel (Rush Street Interactive) - have been authorized to accept wagers Saturday.

Caesars funded a TV ad campaign to alert New Yorkers to the fact that they are ready to play mobile sports betting.

"We are delighted to be able offer millions of passionate New Yorkers DraftKings online and mobile Sportsbooks," said Jason Robins (CEO, co-founder, chairman of Board, DraftKings.

New York expects to receive $10 billion each year in sports betting. Additionally, the state has received $200 million in license fees for mobile operators. Companies have also agreed to pay a 51 % tax on gross revenue -- a split that is far more than what is taken in states where online gambling is legal.

Proponents of mobile betting on sports said that they were thrilled New York would have the program in place before the Super Bowl.

New York state gamblers were unable to place wagers at the casinos upstate. This made it difficult for many downstate residents. Many city residents just open mobile accounts to place phone wagers in New Jersey.

"Finally, it's possible to stop riding over the George Washington Bridge on Sundays and place a bet over-the-phone. Matt Lane, 28 years old, from the Lower East Side stated that this would make her happy and especially if she wins.

Critics worry that sports phone betting could lead to gambling addiction and even death.

Jen Sharpe, a 31-year-old Lower East Side resident, who works in marketing, stated that this "smells trouble for New Yorkers suffering from addiction issues."

DraftKings pledged to run background checks to verify that people are not placing large bets.

"This is an amazing timing. It's a win in New York," said Joseph Addabbo Jr., a state senator from Queens, chairman of the Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee.

"Mobile sports betting will generate additional revenues for the state, including education, and it will create job opportunities."

He also announced that $6 million will be available annually to fund gambling addiction programs. Best sports betting

"This is very good news. It's certainly a good timing. We had stated that we wanted mobile betting to begin before the Super Bowl. "We're ahead on schedule," said Gary Pretlow (D–Mount Vernon), Chairman of Assembly Gaming and Wagering Committee.