The Insurance Doctor

Tag: New York

  • Vegas Comes to New York!

    Vegas Comes to New York!

    Legal sports betting hit an all-time high during the first week of NFL (National Football League) games last week!  According to Tech Firm Geo Comply Solutions, there were 58.2 million betting transactions between the Thursday September 9th, and Sunday (September 12th) Night Football games.

    Since 2020, legal sports betting transactions have doubled.  Much of this is because of the increase of many states allowing legal sports betting via mobile phone and/or in-person. 

    New York State is losing millions of dollars, mostly to New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  It is not a coincidence that New Jersey, earlier this year, announced a “balanced budget” and made FULL PENSION PAYMENTS for the first time in over 25 years!

    There are 22 states (including New York State which is a few months away from launching mobile phone sports betting) that currently allow legal sports betting. 

    Currently, 9 states (including Connecticut) have passed the law and are in difference stages of implementation.  Fifteen states are in the process of legalizing sports gambling and there are only 2 states (Idaho and Wisconsin) that have not had any publicly announced bills devoted to sports betting legalization. 

    A few interesting legal state scenarios include:

    1. New Jersey: On June 18th 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed the sports betting bill that had passed the previous week.  Three days later, the William Hill sportsbook took bets at Monmouth Park, where Phil Murphy was first in line to place a bet.  The Borgata in Atlantic City booked sports bets 30 minutes later.  Other sports books have popped up, such as FanDuel’s first sports book at the Meadowlands which opened 1 month later.  New Jersey allows mobile and in-person legal sports betting.
    2. Delaware: On June 5th, 2018, Delaware moved to offer single-game betting on a number of sports at 3 casinos in the state.  Expanded betting can take place at additional locations and on-line. Delaware allows in-person betting only with NO betting on in-state college teams.  There is no betting permitted on games involving in-state college sports teams!
    3. Pennsylvania: The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course booked the first legal sports bets in Pennsylvania in mid-November 2018. 
    4. Washington DC: In June 2020, the D.C. Lottery launched it’s “GameBetDC” platform, allowing consumers “to wager while in the District on major sports worldwide” via computer or mobile device.  The William Hill Sportsbook opened up inside the Capital One Arena in Washington marking the first sportsbook to open inside of a U.S. arena!
    5. New York State: A law was actually passed back in 2013 allowing legal sports betting at 4 on-site locations, all in upstate New York.  As per ESPN.com, the law was revived after a Supreme Court ruling in 2018.

    What does this all mean for New York, you might be asking yourself?  Just like with legalized Marijuana, New York State has “dropped the ball” and lost many millions annually to New Jersey. 

    Since mobile phones are tracked for sports betting, I have read and heard stories of Manhattanites riding their bicycle over the George Washington Bridge to the New Jersey side, placing their bets, then riding back to the New York side.

    Draftkings and FanDuel have early market share and name recognition.  When my Aunt Carol (who is a scholar and dislikes sports) referred to a catchy Draftkings commercial saying “make it rain” 2 years ago, I knew this would be in the mainstream immediately.  The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) allows fans to bet during fights as odds change in between rounds. 

    The downside to legal sports betting in New York State is that gambling is an addiction, and this will only make it worse.  There must be new levels of support, safeguards, and counseling available to the current and new gambling addicts. 

    On the positive side, New York State’s and New York City’s coffers could certainly use the much-needed revenue generated by legalized sports betting.  It could go a long way towards helping to solve the problems such as homelessness, overcrowded jails, climate reform and a crumbling infrastructure.

    What are your opinions on legal sports gambling?  Feel free to email me @ rob@insurancedoctor.us

  • Phase One Reopening

    Phase One Reopening

    As you probably already know, other than the 5 boroughs, New York State has reopened this week.  What does this mean for Rockaway and Queens?

    The way business owners decide to spend their CARES Act stimulus package Payroll Protection Program (AKA the Triple PPP) money, will have a direct effect on our economy and the unemployment rate through this summer and probably the rest of the calendar year. 

    In Rockaway, it will be interesting to see which restaurants can adapt first to efficient takeout and then when able to fully open (see the Phases below). 

    Earlier this week, I was listening to the Jim Kerr Q104.3 Morning Rock-n-Roll Show and Shelley Sunstein (Jim’s sidekick who can cook) mentioned that she’s accustomed to cooking at home now and will start ordering takeout from restaurants with food she’s not capable of cooking at home.  If this theory is correct, then restaurants like Uma’s and Kimo’s should do well right off their reopening.

    Although I have had my issues with Governor Cuomo (like his ego-based forcing out Rockstar Andy Byford from the MTA); he has done an effective job on a daily basis communicating Covid-19 expectations to lower death rates currently under 100/day in New York State.  By tying performance-based Covid-19 goals to open regions, he helped people focus on Phase One “TEAM GOALS.”

    Phase One:

    • Construction
    • Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
    • Retail – (Limited to curbside or in-store pickup or drop off)
    • Manufacturing
    • Wholesale Trade

    Phase Two:

    • Professional Services
    • Retail
    • Administrative Support
    • Real Estate / Rental & Leasing

    Phase Three:

    • Restaurants / Food Services

    Phase Four:

    • Arts / Entertainment / Recreation
    • Education

    During these times there are opportunities everywhere for those seeking them.  I’ve been saying since this outbreak that EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE during the Covid-19 era. 

    Earlier in the week I sat on a great Zoom webinar presentation given by a HIGH-LEVEL CONCIERGE TRAVEL AGENT.  I asked a question about getting a full refund on my flights to Buffalo (to see the Rolling Stones show now postponed) next week and she said the airlines are only giving credits for 12-24 months.  This motivated me to call Jet Blue immediately after the webinar ended.  After an hour wait, I calmly stated my position to the Jet Blue representative and he gave me a full refund with no arguments.  I couldn’t believe it!  Jet Blue had inundated me with emails and changed my flights about 5 times and asked for a reply to confirm, which I never did.  Turns out, their rule is if the flight is changed more than 2 hours from the original itinerary, then you are entitled to full refund!  Who knew?

    Try it yourself and KEEP THE FAITH!

    -Robert

  • 7 Places to take your kids this summer outside Manhattan

    Parents are always looking for fun places to take kids this summer.  Whether it’s education or to tire them out, these places will leave lasting impressions on your loved ones:

    1. New York Hall of Science: Located at 47-01 111th in Corona queens and open 7 days. Many interactive science exhibits and attractions to keep your child’s interest.
    2. Indoor Extreme Sports: Play paintball and Black Ops laser tag this place gets the adrenaline pumping. Located in Long Island city and Staten Island.  We have thrown birthday parties here and I will tell you big kids like it too, LOL!insurance, New York City, financial services
    3. Bounce U: Another great birthday place, Bounce U can be found in Brooklyn and College Point, Queens. Open 7 days and not just for parties as they have open bounce hours to wipe out the most feisty children.
    4. The Queens Zoo: Located in Corona, Queens and close to #1 the Hall of Science. The Zoo is open daily and easier to navigate and less crowded than other Borough Zoo’s although they’re all good.
    5. Kids Fun House: Located on fresh pond road in Ridgewood, Queens it’s for children up to 12 years old. There’s a socks only play area for small children while the bigger kids go thru the maze or play arcade games.  There’s also an on-site café.
    6. Museum of the Moving Image: Open wed-sun this place is really fun and was recently renovated. Took the boys last year to the “Behind the Screen” exhibit with Star Wars props etc.  Also, somewhat hidden is an old-school arcade with Ms Pacman, galaga and other games baby boomers will be familiar with.
    7. Artistic Stitch Sports Complex: Located on Cooper Ave. in Glendale, Queens and open from mon-sat. If you have older children, this place has something for everyone.  Soccer, dodgeball, wiffleball and rock climbing to name a few.

  • 5 Top Slices & Best White Pie in NYC

    Pizza is a passion of mine!  After six months, a few extra pounds and visiting 50+ places the results are in.

    1. Di Fara: Located in Midwood Brooklyn, this place is 2nd to none! All slices and pies are made by 90+ yo Dominick Demarco.  Flavors explode in your mouth.  Waits are painful but worth

      Dom De Marco, pizza maker and owner of Di Fara Pizza
      Dom De Marco, pizza maker and owner of Di Fara Pizza

      it.  You have to go at least once.  Cash only.

    2. Lucali: Located in Carroll Gardens Brooklyn, this converted candy store serves only mouth watering pizza and the best calzones I’ve ever had to boot! Cash only.
    3. Nicks: Located in Forest Hills Queens, Nicks has the feel of a 50’s diner. Pies only, they come out perfect every time and Nick’s has the best sausage topping ever! Cash only.
    4. Roberta’s: Hipster-chic Bushwick Brooklyn location, this place serves wood-fired pizza and has a great vibe. With a live Deejay and Christmas lights this place is a must visit.  Cool seating also available in their garden where vegetables are grown.
    5. New Park: In Howard Beach Queens, this no-frills spot has been serving amazing slices for over 70 years. I prefer to order their slices and pies well done.

    Best White Pizza?  Lombardi’s hands down!  The first pizza place in the USA, Lombardi’s has been cranking out pies since 1905.  This Nolita (north of little Italy) landmark restaurant uses a coal-fired oven and is cash only.

    I’m open to feedback, enjoy!