New York sports betting has been legal and live since Jan. 8, 2022. Nine of the best online sportsbooks, including FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, and DraftKings, are currently operating in New York.
Sports betting was signed into law when Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved a budget legislation for the 2022 fiscal year that included the plan to move forward with mobile sports betting. In November 2021, the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) approved nine NY sports betting operators and adopted regulations for mobile and online sports betting. Mobile sports wagering launched in January 2022.
You’ll also find various New York retail sportsbook locations throughout Upstate New York, where bets can be placed in person. Commercial casinos in Kiamesha Lake, Nichols, Schenectady, and Tyre all take sports bets.
Best New York Sports Betting Apps
Affiliate Disclosure: If you place a bet at a sportsbook through one of our links, we may earn a commission.
21+ and present in NY. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
FanDuel New York
FanDuel Sportsbook has become the leading app in New York for several reasons. Users in the state enjoy the clean interface and live streaming the FanDuel app offers, in addition to some of the best props bets and same-game parlays. The FanDuel app is especially attractive to fans of horse racing, as it offers a combined wallet with its FanDuel Racing app.
FanDuel is an official sports betting partner of MLB.
- Key features: In-game wagering, early cash outs, online betting guide
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.9; Google 4.5
BetMGM New York
BetMGM Sportsbook ranks fourth among online betting apps in New York in terms of handle and has become another popular option due to its competitive betting lines and great loyalty program. Many users state that they like the app for its ease of navigation and variety of deposit and withdrawal options.
Since 2021, BetMGM has been the official sports betting partner of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and Madison Square Garden Arena.
- Key features: Same-game parlays, live streaming, daily prop specials
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.5
Fanatics Sportsbook New York
The Fanatics Sportsbook went live in New York in March 2024, making it the fifteenth state it had launched in at the time. One of the top features for Fanatics is “FanCash” where customers can earn up to 5% of the total of their bet in FanCash based on the amount bet on the settlement of your eligible cash bets.
- Key features: Pre-game stats, pre-packaged same game parlays, early cashouts, strong live betting section
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App Store Rating: Apple 4.7; Google 4.6
Latest New York Sports Betting Updates
NY Sportsbook Promos and Bonuses To Explore
New York has nine online sportsbook options, so take a look around. You’ll want to take advantage of every New York mobile sports betting platform you can.
We’ve done research on which NY sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps are the best in each key category. See the table below for the best offers in New York sports betting.
| NY Sportsbook | Promotion | Promo Code |
|---|---|---|
| 📱 FanDuel Sportsbook | 💰 Bet $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed + 3 Weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket | 🎯 Click to claim |
| 📱 BetMGM Sportsbook | 💰Learn more about the top BetMGM NY Sportsbook promotions | 🎯 Click Here |
| 📱 Fanatics Sportsbook | 💰Bet and Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets + Fanatics Sportsbook $5M Jersey Drop | 🎯 Click to claim promo |
How To Bet on Sports in New York
Lucky for players in New York, downloading a sportsbook and placing wagers online is a simple process. Read below to learn how to bet in the state of NY.
Choose a NY Sportsbook App
New York has nine sportsbooks to choose from, including three with special Gaming Today offers to get you started. If you have a specific bet in mind, consider all of the bonus offers and find one that best suits your bet.
NY sportsbooks allow you to look at their odds without signing up, so keep that in mind. Signing up for multiple sportsbooks allows you to hunt for the best odds so that you can make the most of your experience.
Claim Welcome Offer
Our links make it easy to redeem deposit matches and bonus bet offers. New York sportsbooks have some great options, and you’ll find them right here.
Create Account
New York’s sign-up process takes just a couple of minutes, but it helps to have some personal information handy. You’ll need to provide proof of age and identity. Upload a photo of a driver’s license or state-issued ID.
Once the sportsbook verifies your identification documents, you’ll need to verify your location. NY sportsbook sites and apps use geolocation services to determine your location when you log in or try to place bets. If the geolocation technology determines you’re outside of New York state lines, you’ll be blocked from betting.
Download Sportsbook App
Once the account is created, you will be instructed to download the sports betting app. This can easily be done through the App Store or Google Play Store.
Make a Deposit
Your sportsbook knows you’re a legal bettor in a legal New York location. Next, you can consider several deposit options that instantly put funds into your new account.
PayPal provides one of the most reliable ways to deposit at an online sportsbook. Other methods include ACH/eCheck, credit cards, debit cards, and the Play+ prepaid card.
We don’t recommend using credit cards for your bets in New York, but they are an option. Remember that credit cards often charge a higher interest rate based on a cash advance. Factor the interest rate into your betting budget since credit card fees and rates will add to the expense of a losing bet and cut into anything you gain with a winning bet.
Place Your First Bet
Sports betting apps or online sportsbooks allow you to wager by clicking on the betting line of your choice. Moneyline, point spread, totals, parlays, in-game betting, and more are available at NY online sportsbooks.
Take time to go over the terms and conditions of any bonus offers. Some offers apply to your first bet only. You’ll want to make sure the bet you have in mind is eligible for the bonus offer.
Once you’ve clicked on a bet and applied any offers, the wager will appear on your betslip (usually at the right of the screen). Confirm the bet one more time on the betslip to make the wager official.
Types of Bets at NY Sportsbooks
While there are hundreds of betting markets available to bettors at any given time, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular bet types you can expect to find at legal NY sports betting apps.
Moneyline
Moneyline bets are among the most common wagers. They’re often the first numbers you see when you explore New York betting lines.
Numbers for favorites and underdogs are based on a $100 system, but you can place a bet for other amounts.
- An underdog will have a “+” symbol. A bet on the Yankees to win at +125 means you’ll win $125 on a $100 bet.
- Favorites will have a “–” symbol. If the Mets are -140 to win, that means you would need to risk $140 to win $100.
Gaming Today’s moneyline calculator is easy to use. It can help you with the math based on amounts other than $100.
Spreads
Point spreads are another common bet at NY sportsbooks. If the Giants are 3.5-point favorites, it will appear as (-3.5) in any game information. With a -3.5 bet on the Giants, just winning the game isn’t enough. The team needs to win by 4 points or more for your -3.5 bet on the Giants to pay out.
If the Jets are 6.5-point underdogs, the spread will appear as (+6.5). That means you can win on a Jets bet even if the Jets lose the game. They just can’t lose by 7 points or more. A 6-point loss is fine at +6.5 because that means the Jets covered the spread.
Most lines are set with half-points—the hook—to establish a clear winner and loser. If the Jets spread is +6 and they lose by 6 points, that’s a push at the sportsbook. You get your money back but you don’t win anything.
Gaming Today can help you with that New York bet as well. Try our NFL spread calculator.
Totals
Moneylines and spreads ask you to pick a team to meet the betting expectations. A total—also called the over/under—is a bet on the final score regardless of who wins.
An NBA total might look like this:
- O 210.5 (-110)
- U 210.5 (-110)
That means you’ll need to risk $110 to win $100 on the total points scored. If you bet the over, a 106-105 outcome wins because the final score adds up to 211 points. The under wins if the final score adds up to 210 or less.
Props
Prop bets are wagers that have nothing to do with a game’s outcome. Here are a couple of examples.
Saquon Barkley rushing yards
- O 74.5 (-140)
- U 74.5 (+110)
Aaron Rodgers passing touchdowns
- O 2.5 (-140)
- U 2.5 (+110)
If you think Barkley will rush for 75 yards or more, a $140 bet on the over wins $100. A $100 under bet on Aaron Rodgers means you think he’ll have two or fewer touchdown passes. You’d win $110 based on the odds.
Prop bets are easy to follow and can keep more casual fans engaged at a watch party.
Futures
Futures bets are high-risk, high-reward wagers that focus on a season instead of a game.
The lines are typically displayed in a moneyline format. For example, the pre-training camp line for the New York Jets to win the Super Bowl is +1800. Thus, a $100 bet would win $1,800 if you’re ultimately correct.
But you don’t have to bet on an eventual champion.
For example, DraftKings has a “Giants to make the playoffs” bet for the upcoming season.
Sports To Bet on in New York
We make the latest New York sports betting updates easy to find. Whether it’s March Madness odds or Super Bowl betting odds, we’ll track how the lines move as seasons progress.
Sportsbooks that operate in this state allow sports fans to place bets on their hometown teams and will often offer special promos when those teams are playing.
Note: NY sportsbooks are unable to accept bets on in-state college sports. That means NY fans must leave the state to bet on Syracuse or Army. These teams are unavailable to wager on at New York sportsbooks.
Sportsbooks in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania can take your New York college team wagers. Keep that in mind as you travel.
| Team | League |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | 🏈 NFL |
| New York Giants | 🏈 NFL |
| New York Jets | 🏈 NFL |
| Brooklyn Nets | 🏀 NBA |
| New York Knicks | 🏀 NBA |
| Buffalo Sabres | 🏒NHL |
| New York Islanders | 🏒NHL |
| New York Rangers | 🏒NHL |
| New York Mets | ⚾️ MLB |
| New York Yankees | ⚾️ MLB |
NFL Betting in New York
Buffalo Bills
For those looking for the best NFL odds, NY sportsbooks are listing the Buffalo Bills among the favorites to win Super Bowl 58 at the start of the season, with quarterback Josh Allen leading the way. Last year, Buffalo made a great run to the playoffs but ultimately lost to the Kansas City Chiefs to miss out on the ACF Championship.
New York Giants
The Giants have won four Super Bowls, the most recent in 2011. With a Divisional Round playoff appearance after the 2022 season, the Giants surprised some experts a season ago.
Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones headlined a young roster that seemed ready to take the next step in 2023. However, the Giants lost Jones to a season-ending knee injury and winning was sparse in 2023 as the team finished with a 6-11 record.
New York Jets
The Jets have won one Super Bowl in franchise history—1969 when they memorably upset the Baltimore Colts. Currently, there may not be a team with as much first- or second-year talent as the Jets, but they’ve yet to experience any meaningful success.
At the start of the 2023 season, they lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers to injury and missed the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season.
Football Betting Guides — Best NFL Betting Apps | Top College Football Betting Sites | Best Football Promo Codes
NBA Betting in New York
Brooklyn Nets
The 2023-24 season was another disappointment as Brooklyn finished 32-50, 11th in the Eastern Conference and out of the play-in tournament. Still, the team is popular with those looking at the best NBA odds.
Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges are capable of all-star numbers, but Brooklyn appears to be about to enter rebuilding mode as the final chapter in the failed Kevin Durant experiment from five years earlier.
New York Knicks
The Knicks have made eight NBA Finals appearances and won two championships in franchise history. Superstar guard Jalen Brunson anchors a solid backcourt for the Knicks, who hope to be a factor in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks’ 2023-24 season ended brutally when they lost in Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Basketball Betting Guides — Best NBA Betting Sites | Best College Basketball Betting Sites | Latest Basketball Promo Codes
NHL Betting in New York
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres have a young core led by Dylan Cozens and Tage Thompson. They hope the fresh talent could one day restore the once-great team as Stanley Cup contenders.
That didn’t materialize during the 2023-24 season, as the Sabres finished sixth in the Atlantic Division with a 39-37-6 record. They have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for an NHL-record 13 straight seasons. At the conclusion of the season, Don Granato was fired as coach, and Lindy Ruff was named the new coach in April 2024.
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders have won four Stanley Cups in their history but none since 1983, during their heyday, when they were led by Mike Bossy. The Islanders saw their 2023-34 season come to an end when they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games in the first round of the NHL Playoffs.
New York Rangers
The Rangers are one of the top teams when it comes to best NHL odds. They are one of the NHL’s “Original Six” teams and have won four Stanley Cups in team history, but none since 1994.
New York Rangers forced a Game 7 during the 2023 playoffs but fell to the rival New Jersey Devils in their best-of-seven opening playoff series. Heartbreak would come for the Rangers again in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs as they were eliminated by the Florida Panthers with a 2-1 loss in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Hockey Betting Guides — Best NHL Betting Apps | Latest NHL Promo Codes |
MLB Betting in New York
New York Mets
Those looking to bet on baseball have two of the most popular teams to choose from in New York. Mets fans enjoyed a postseason run in 2022, but a bigger payroll didn’t pay off in 2023. Unfortunately, 2024 is shaking out to be a similarly disappointing season for the long-suffering Mets.
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a perennial powerhouse. MVP winner Aaron Judge signed a long-term contract in 2023, and so far, he’s lived up to the investment.
With the arrival of Juan Soto, look for the Bronx Bombers to be one of the most-bet MLB teams to win the World Series.
Baseball Betting Guides — Best MLB Betting Sites | Latest Baseball Promo Codes
MLS Betting in New York
New York City FC and New York Red Bulls (MLS)
World Cup soccer fans don’t have to wait until 2026 to bet on soccer.
New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls are two teams that continue to grow in popularity. In 2024, remember Saturdays for your regular season MLS wagering each week.
At all US sportsbooks, including those in New York, international soccer is one of the most popular choices for bettors. The English Premier League and other European divisions attract a large number of in-state wagers. Premier League odds, Champions League odds, and MLS odds are available all year long around the globe.
Other Professional NY Teams and Events
The options for New York sports betting continue to grow, and there is no offseason when it comes to bets on New York’s professional sports franchises.
- New York Liberty (WNBA)—The Eastern Conference franchise, founded in 1997 as one of the WNBA’s original franchises, plays at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Liberty appear to be strong contenders for a WNBA Championship right now.
- NJ/NY Gotham FC (NWSL) — New York’s National Women’s Soccer League franchise dates back to 2006 when the team was branded as the Jersey Sky Blue. The team joined the NWSL in 2013 as one of the league’s original franchises. They play at Red Bull Arena in nearby Harrison, NJ.
Another New York favorite is betting on NASCAR and other auto racing events. Watkins Glen International hosts these events in every professional auto-racing sector, including the NASCAR Cup Series. Formula 1 odds are a great summer option as well.
Moreover, US Open tennis comes to Flushing, NY just ahead of Labor Day. Sportsbooks in New York offer in-the-moment odds.
New York betting peaks between September and March when the NFL, college football, and March Madness drive up excitement and revenue at NY sportsbooks.
But there are great chances to bet in New York all year long, with some of the biggest events in sports still ahead.
College Sports Betting in NY
A trip to any bordering state is a popular workaround if you want to bet on a New York-based college team.
Thankfully, sportsbooks across New York offer free-to-play bracket tournaments and other promotions surrounding sporting events involving in-state teams. So, even if you can’t bet on Syracuse, you can still watch them play while betting on other games.
New York Sports Betting: Quick Facts
| New York Population | 20.2 million |
|---|---|
| Legal Betting Age | 21+ |
| Sports Betting Regulator | New York State Gaming Commission |
| Online Sportsbooks | ✅ Available |
| Retail Sportsbooks | ✅ Available |
| College Sports Betting | ⚠ Available (except in-state teams) |
| Esports Betting | ✖️ Not Available |
| Tax Rate | 51% |
New York Sports Betting Laws
While mobile apps did not launch in New York until 2022, the state legalized sports wagering nearly a decade earlier in 2013 at upstate commercial and tribal casinos. It then took a federal case and six more years before retail sportsbooks at upstate casinos launched in 2019.
New York legalized mobile sports betting on Jan. 6, 2021, when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced support for mobile sportsbooks through a lottery system.
The New York State Gaming Commission regulates all aspects of gaming and gambling activity in the state. It was formally created through Chapter 60 of the Laws of 2012 as part of the 2012/2013 Enacted State Budget.
New York Sports Betting Tax Rate
Sports wagering revenue is taxed at 51%. Land-based revenue is taxed at 10%.
Revenue from sports wagering also provides annually:
• $5 million to fund sports programs for underserved youths (administered by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services)
• $6 million to fund problem gambling education and treatment (administered by the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports)
Operator license terms are 10 years.
Legal Betting Age in New York
Players must be 21 or older to wager in New York.
Legal New York Betting Markets
New York authorizes bets on more than 20 sports. The list includes:
- Auto Racing
- MMA
- Boxing
- Baseball
- Football
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Golf
- Hockey
- Tennis
- Cycling
- Lacrosse
- Volleyball
The state also authorizes a narrowed range of bets on cornhole, Aussie football, cricket, darts, the World Snooker Championship, and table tennis.
Licensed sportsbooks will display only legal betting options on their websites and apps, so bettors can seek out their niche sports with confidence.
Illegal New York Betting Markets
- NY college sports — When March Madness rolls around, we rediscover an annual missed opportunity for NY sports betting. Fans can’t bet on any of New York’s 21 Division I men’s basketball programs, a matching number of women’s basketball teams, or the state’s 12 bowl division and FCS football programs. You have to leave the state if the college bet involves a New York-based college team.
- Player award bets — You might know them as individual prop futures. Either way, New York doesn’t allow bets on award honors like the Heisman Trophy, Cy Young Award, or Super Bowl MVP. Instead of NFL Offensive Player of the Year, swap in a bet like “league leader in passing” instead. What’s the difference? Passing yards are decided on the field. MVP honors are voted on away from the field.
- Pro wrestling, the Oscars, and political election results — You can’t bet on WWE odds, Academy Award moneylines, or election winners in New York.
- Pro sports draft positions — Much like award bets, opinion factors into when and where an athlete begins his or her career. That keeps this wager off your betting menu at legal NY sportsbooks.
- High school sports and Little League World Series bets — There are more than enough college and pro sporting events to choose from. New York won’t allow bets on events where a majority of the participants are 18 or younger.
- Events where you might have an influence on the outcome — The New York State Gaming Commission prohibits bets placed by players, coaches, trainers, or officials. The list includes immediate family members and any organized unions that represent those groups as well. Likewise, sports agents can’t bet in New York. The ban includes casino employees and contractors who run sports betting or handle transactions, too.
New York Sports Betting Legalization Timeline
Here’s a look at some key steps along the way.
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo reached an agreement with state lawmakers to bring mobile betting to New York. The state wrapped up its bidding process, which resulted in the announcement of nine NY mobile sports betting apps to launch in New York. BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, PointsBet, Bally Bet, Resorts World, and WynnBET. The first six operators were all live just in time for the 2022 Super Bowl.
The coronavirus pandemic began. On top of a massive death toll, the state’s tax revenue dropped by more than $3 billion. To compensate for that, lawmakers proposed a budget plan that legalized recreational marijuana and opened the door for online sports betting.
Schenectady’s Rivers Casino accepted the first legal sports bets, and seven additional retail sportsbooks have opened since. All the while, former Governor Cuomo remained adamantly opposed to legalized online sports betting.
The US Supreme Court overturned PASPA, a 1992 bill restricting most states from offering legal sports betting. New York could then pass a bill legalizing sports betting.
New York Sports Betting Revenue and Handle
Once New York added legalized online sports betting to its casino betting windows and kiosks, it jumped to the top of all states in handle, or the amount of money wagered by customers.
New York sports betting recorded $1,261,967,679 in mobile sports wagering handle for the month of July 2024, a decrease from the $1,473,071,481 in handle posted in June 2024.
The state’s sportsbooks began 2024 on a high note, taking in $1.9 billion in January. New York closed 2023 with stellar numbers. NYC’s sports betting crossed the $2 billion mark in handle in October 2023 and repeated the feat in November and December, according to figures from the New York State Gaming Commission.
In January 2024, upon the two-year anniversary of mobile sports wagering in New York State, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the state had collected more than $1.55 billion in taxes, most of it for education funding.
| July 2024 | June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Mobile Sports Betting handle: $1,261,967,679 | Mobile Sports Betting handle: $1,473,071,481 |
| Gross Gaming Revenue: $140,328,926 | Gross Gaming Revenue: $133,931,080 |
| Tax Revenue for Education: $71,568,040 | Tax Revenue for Education: $68,304,851 |
At Gaming Today, we track sports betting revenue reports for states like New York and the US as a whole.
The Complete List of NY Sportsbook Apps
As soon as online sports betting became legal in New York, several of the top sportsbooks began offering excellent promotions and bonus codes.
| 📱Sportsbook | ✅ Mobile and/or Retail? |
|---|---|
| 📱FanDuel New York | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱BetMGM New York | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱DraftKings New York | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱Caesars New York | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱BetRivers New York | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
| 📱Fanatics New York | ✅ Mobile |
| 📱WynnBet New York | ✅ Mobile |
| 📱Bally Bet New York | ✅ Mobile |
| 📱Resorts World Bet New York | ✅ Mobile and Retail |
What To Look for in New York Betting Apps
New York bettors have several of the top sports betting apps to choose from. When considering which sportsbooks best suit your needs, consider some of the key features needed for a secure and enjoyable wagering experience.
We consider several factors when rating the top legal sportsbooks, including:
- Easy app navigation and clean interface;
- Depth of odds and betting lines;
- A variety of bet types;
- Stringent security features;
- Multiple deposit and withdrawal options;
- Solid welcome offers and bonuses.
Where To Bet in New York: Retail Sportsbooks
There are three ways to place a sports bet in New York.
- Install one of the nine NY sportsbook apps on a portable device like your smartphone.
- Sign up for an online New York sportsbook on your desktop or laptop.
- Visit a New York venue (like a casino) that features a retail NY sportsbook.
Retail sportsbooks are easy to find throughout the state of New York, and Sen. Joseph Addabbo is behind the push to give residents further options to bet alongside retail sportsbooks and mobile apps. This move could also bring sports betting to commercial casinos located in the downstate New York area.
Some of the retail sportsbooks, such as Sportsbook 360 at Resorts World Catskills, allow you to view the bets online before you visit. All will take phone calls inquiring about the lines they’re offering.
New York’s retail sportsbooks offer a wide range of wagers on all major sports. The southernmost location is Resorts World Catskills. The northernmost spot is Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort near the Canadian border. Most are spread across Upstate from Albany to Buffalo.
New York City is a different story at the moment. “The Big Apple” does not have any retail sportsbooks despite having land-based casinos. But again, NYC bettors don’t need to leave their boroughs to bet on sports. If they do want to visit a retail sportsbook, the closest in-state option is Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, which is 90 miles from Manhattan. Here is the full list of New York retail sportsbooks.
| Casino | Sportsbook | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Point Place Casino | Caesars Sportsbook New York | 450-452 NY-31 Bridgeport, NY 13030 |
| Yellow Brick Road Casino | Caesars Sportsbook New York | 800 W Genesee St Chittenango, NY 13037 |
| Turning Stone Resort & Casino | Caesars Sportsbook New York | 5218 Patrick Rd Verona, NY 13478 |
| Tioga Downs | FanDuel New York | 2384 W River Rd Nichols, NY 13812 |
| Rivers Casino Schenectady | BetRivers Sportsbook New York | 1 Rush St Schenectady, NY 12305 |
| del Lago Casino Resort | DraftKings New York | 1133 NY-414 Waterloo, NY 13165 |
| Resorts World Catskills | Sportsbook 360 New York | 888 Resorts World Dr Monticello, NY 12701 |
| Akwesasne Mohawk Casino | PlaySports by IGT New York | 873 NY-37 Hogansburg, NY 13655 |
How New York Sports Betting Compares to Nearby Markets
New York is the largest online sports wagering market in the country among states with legal sports betting. It trails only California, Texas, and Florida in population, but none of those states have full-scale sports betting.
New York adopted online sports betting at the start of 2022, a full year ahead of Massachusetts. NY also offers more variety than Connecticut’s two sportsbook options.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania have more sportsbooks, a longer history, and lower tax rates. New York’s neighbors also have online casino games, so there are opportunities for growth in the Empire State.
Pros and Cons of New York Sports Betting
Each betting market has its ups and downs. Some states are slow to move on the mobile sports betting front, while others are legal but restricted. New York is no different. Read below to learn all the good and bad traits of NY sports betting.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| New York state has 10 pro franchises to bet on in the major North American leagues. | In-state college team bets are still off limits. |
| In 2023, New York became the first state to cross the $2 billion threshold in bets for a single month. | The state has only issued licenses to nine online sportsbooks, which limits the variety for consumers. |
| Sports betting taxes help education, youth sports, and problem gambling prevention programs. | The 51% tax rate is so high that sportsbooks offer fewer bonuses. Bettors also see less favorable odds. |
Other Types of Gambling in NY
The New York State Assembly hasn’t acted on a plan by Sen. Joseph Addabbo to introduce online casinos to the Empire State. In the meantime, there are plenty of gaming options.
| 💰DFS | ✅ Yes |
| 💸 Lottery | ✅ Yes |
| 🐎 Horse Racing (Pari-mutuel wagering) | ✅ Yes |
| 🪙 Fliff Social Sportsbook | ✅ Yes |
| 🪙 Rebet Social Sportsbook | ✅ Yes |
| ♠️ Online Poker | ❌No |
| 🤑Online Casinos | ❌No |
Social Sportsbooks in New York
With social sportsbooks, you can play games that mimic props, parlays, and totals bets at real sportsbooks. These games use free currencies like “Sweeps Coins” that can be redeemed for real cash and prizes if you win enough.
Fliff is an example of a social sportsbook. It allows you to make sports picks at no cost. Customers can purchase and use virtual tokens. The Fliff Cash can be redeemed for real cash prizes in 42 states. Rebet is another social sportsbook on the scene.
New York Daily Fantasy Sports
In 2016, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill legalizing DFS in New York. However, the New York Gaming Commission voted in 2023 to ban DFS games that look too much like the prop bets you’ll find at legal New York sportsbooks.
That was bad news for companies like Underdog Fantasy, PrizePicks, and Sleeper. Their “player vs. the house” pick ’em games aren’t an option anymore. Some hope may be on the horizon, though, as Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo introduced Senate Bill 9044 in May 2024. This legislation aims to authorize peer-to-peer DFS contests with pick’em-style markets.
Horse Racing Betting in NY
New York is home to the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the American Triple Crown, so naturally, horse betting is a popular option.
Here are some prominent NY racing tracks.
- Aqueduct Racetrack
- Batavia Downs
- Belmont Park
- Finger Lakes Racetrack
- Monticello Raceway
- Saratoga Race Course
- Tioga Downs
- Vernon Downs
- Yonkers Raceway
The sport has more than 100 off-track betting (OTB) sites around the state.
Stay-at-home betting options include FanDuel Racing and TVG. That means bettors have access to some of the best horse betting apps.
New York Responsible Gaming
As you can see, we have many odds and bonus offers here at Gaming Today, but it’s important to play smart and stay in the game. Here are a few things to keep in mind when practicing responsible gaming.
- Decide your betting limit. Consistently bet the same amount on each wager. Stick to a budget and don’t overextend.
- Keep a record of your bets. The better your tracking is, the more likely you are to stay within your budget. A good record helps you understand which kinds of bets work best for you.
- Limit your parlay bets. High-reward parlays are popular, but they carry a high risk as well. Don’t burn your betting budget on long-shot parlays because big wins can be few and far between.
- Use the offers and bonuses here to sign up for multiple accounts. Odds and lines vary across the nine NY online sportsbooks, so take some time to shop for the best odds. Futures bets often have some of the best variety. For game bets, a half-point difference can have a real impact on a betting win or loss at the end of the game.
- Timing is everything. Remember that lines often change from their opening numbers. If you like the Jets in an upcoming matchup and see an early line around a key number like +4, +7, or +13, you may want to jump on it early. Likewise, if you don’t like an opening line, wait to see if the spread comes your way, or find a different game with odds that suit you.
Help is available
The New York Council on Problem Gambling has resources available to anyone who has been adversely impacted by problem gambling.
Options include the Office of Addiction Supports and Services HOPEline. Call 1-877-846-7369 or text 467369 for 24/7 support.
The New York State Gaming Commission website includes a voluntary self-exclusion form for anyone who would like to ban themselves from using casinos, race tracks, and online sportsbooks.
Nationally, the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline is an option as well.
New York Sports Betting Industry: More Resources
- The New York State Gaming Commission website, with resources on rules and regulations, revenue reports, voluntary self-exclusion, and more
- Sports Betting Rules as enforced by the NYSGC
- New York Sports on ESPN has the latest coverage of both college and professional sports in the state
- The New York Times Sports section covers both local teams as well as national professional and college sports
- CNY Sports News courtesy of Syracuse.com
- Buffalo News Sports section covers athletics in Western New York
- Times Union Sports has the latest college and high school sports news in Albany and the Capital Region
New York Sports Betting FAQ
Yes. New York sports betting is legal right now. A 2018 US Supreme Court decision allows all states to add sports betting as an option. New York opted in and a New York casino accepted the state’s first sports bet in 2019
The legal online betting age for New York is 21 years old.
New York hosts nine online sportsbooks. The best NY sportsbooks include FanDuel and BetMGM.
You can bet on sports around the world with your New York sportsbook. Many of the major operators offer international leagues as well as popular sports in the US. College sports bets are another option as long as the event doesn’t feature a college program from New York.
Yes, betting on horse races online is legal. Many sportsbooks offer extensions of their apps that are specific to betting on horse racing. FanDuel Racing is an example of a mobile horse betting app to check out.
Yes, betting on college sports is legal in New York if the event does not include a NY school.
Yes, using an offshore sportsbook is illegal in any state. Offshore sportsbooks are not a safe way to wager on sports. With no state-regulated body overseeing their operations, there is no way to ensure bettors’ money is in good hands.
Yes. NY online sports betting is officially here. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, state Sen. Joe Addabbo, and other lawmakers came to an agreement to legalize NY sports betting apps in 2021. After months of waiting, NY bettors placed their bets from their mobile phones in early January 2022.
We’re still waiting to see whether online casinos become a reality.
No, you do not need to be a resident of NY to bet online. To wager online, you just need to verify you are within state lines. In addition, there are 38 legal sports betting states that you can visit to place bets.
Yes. You’ll find most of the options Upstate from Albany to Buffalo. New York City has casinos, but they haven’t added a retail sportsbook just yet.
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