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How To Bet On Sports In Nyc

With New York facing a $15 billion budget shortfall from the coronavirus pandemic, online sports betting is viewed as one possible way to inject much-needed money into the state. DraftKings Sportsbook allows you to bet on live sports with its “Live In-Game” betting tab. This tab will display every sport, league, and game currently going on that you can bet on. The tab does a great job with live updates by letting you know the odds you can get in real-time.

Legal New York sports betting is alive and well and has been since it first began at New York betting venues in July 2019. New York sports betting has been limited to physical sportsbooks, present in nearly twelve commercial and tribal casinos upstate. The locations of these casinos for NY sports betting are Bridgeport, Verona, Waterloo, Nicholls, Monticello, and Schenectady.

Like residents of other U.S. states, New Yorkers had to wait for the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn the federal ban on sports betting implemented through PASPA. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was implemented in 1992, disallowing New York sports betting and betting in other states. However, the Supreme Court of the United States rescinded the ban in 2018. The states have gradually embraced online sports betting.

The possibility of legal New York online sports betting is gaining traction. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo stated that he’s prepared to move forward with New York online sports betting. It may take some time to get online New York sports betting underway, but betting in New York online is set to become a reality.

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Most Likely New York Sportsbooks

Although New York online sports betting isn’t yet available, various upstate casinos offer New York sports betting at their resident sportsbooks. Legislation will inevitably roll out and online betting in New York will be legalized. These are some of the top New York sportsbooks we expect to offer New York sports betting apps if they’re allowed.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings already has a physical presence in the del Lago Resort & Casino. It’s likely to be one of the first New York sportsbooks offering New York online betting and New York sports betting apps. It’s already at the forefront of American sports betting, having rolled out its operation in most states with legal sports betting.

DraftKings offers attractive welcome bonuses and promotions to players. New Yorkers can look forward to receiving these bonuses if this operator opens up for online New York sports betting.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Much like its rival DraftKings, FanDuel also currently operates in a brick and mortar casino Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, New York. It’s poised to launch NY sports betting online when legislation for online New York betting sites and New York sports betting apps passes.

FanDuel is a household name in the global sports betting and fantasy sports sectors. Many New Yorkers are already familiar with this operator and have likely used it for wagering out of state. New York sports betting enthusiasts will undoubtedly welcome the addition of FanDuel as one of the online New York sportsbooks.

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM operates online in ten states, with a few more waiting in the wings. It’s owned by the world-renowned MGM Resorts International and first entered the sports betting market recently in 2018.

It will likely be a competitive addition to New York sports betting apps. Its full sportsbook includes hundreds of betting markets. Until New York online sports betting is legal, NY sports betting participants in the Empire State must wait to avail themselves of the New York sports betting offers at BetMGM.

Caesars Sportsbook

This well-known brand has launched online sportsbooks in four states: Indiana, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Caesars sportsbook also offers New York sports betting at three physical locations in New York. As it’s already part of the NY sports betting setup, we expect Caesars to vie for a license to operate one of the online New York betting sites.

New York sports betting enthusiasts can anticipate wagering on a variety of sports at this NY sports betting site. With many betting types available, you can make good use of the welcome bonus when betting in New York at Caesars Sportsbook.

PointsBet Sportsbook

PointsBet has been part of the U.S. online sports betting landscape since January 2019. It currently operates its online sportsbook in a handful of states and is looking to add some others to that list. This Australian bookmaker has a unique form of betting called PointsBetting that offers more significant rewards to bettors as their wagers become more accurate.

PointsBet has the most bet types of any sportsbook worldwide for the NBA and NFL. It has betting markets that you may not find elsewhere. With their love for sports, New Yorkers will welcome PointsBet as one of the New York sports betting apps in the future and could also benefit from the PointsBet Promo Code.


How to Place a Sports Bet in New York

Although New York online sports betting is currently illegal, New York sports betting may soon go live with a multitude of New York Sports betting apps. Here’s how New York online sports betting shapes up at present.

New York Betting Laws

While Governor Andrew Cuomo is on board with legalizing online sports betting in New York, there’s still a ways to go before New York online sports betting becomes a reality. The governor would like the state lottery to handle NY sports betting, but the state must amend its constitution for this to happen.

Two lawmakers, Senator Joe Addabbo Jr., and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, have drawn up their NY sports betting bills, S1183 (Senate bill) and A1257 (Assembly bill),that have bipartisan support in the legislature. They were recently approved and passed to the Finance Committee in the next stage of legalizing New York online sports betting.

If these bills pass into law, they’ll boost New York sports betting with up to 14 New York sports betting apps. New Yorkers hope that by the time the State Legislature wraps up in June 2021, online New York sportsbooks will be on their way to becoming a reality for betting in New York.

New York sports betting is currently available at land-based casinos only. The following rules apply for NY sports betting:

  • You must be 21 years of age or older to participate in New York sports betting.
  • You must have no involvement with any professional or collegiate sporting organizations.
  • You can’t be on a self-exclusion list.
  • Anyone in an authoritative position, or any participating athlete who may influence other participants in a sporting event, is prohibited from New York sports betting.
  • Any athlete who can use his/her performance to sway the outcome of matches is banned from New York sports betting.

States where you can already place an online sports bet today :

Updated on :

Colorado Illinois Indiana Iowa Michigan Nevada New Jersey Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia West Virginia

Step-by-Step Process for New York Online Sports Betting

When the first New York sports betting apps launch in the state, bettors will be clamoring to sign up and start betting in New York. You’ll have a few New York betting sites to choose from, but before you decide, ensure that you read the Terms and Conditions carefully.

Once you’ve selected the bookmaker for your NY sports betting, register on the New York betting site and open your account. Registration is straightforward, usually requiring you to complete a series of pop-up forms with your personal information. New York betting sites will all have varying requirements. Don’t worry though, because each New York sports betting operator provides prompts to assist you. It’s practically impossible to go wrong.

Be prepared to provide documentation verifying your identity, particularly when you wish to withdraw your winnings. New York betting sites might request a utility bill or other proof of residence, as well as a copy of your driver’s license or similar document.

Before placing your first bet, you must fund your account. New York online sports betting sites will have varying deposit methods available. You can expect them to have many of these popular options:

  • Credit or debit cards
  • PayPal
  • E-wallets
  • Prepaid cards
  • Online banking

Ensure that you look out for welcome offers for New York sports betting and include the relevant promo code when depositing funds for the first time. New York sportsbooks use promotions to attract new customers. The welcome offers play a significant role in the New York betting sites you visit for New York sports betting.

Once you’ve topped off your account, place your bet with the betting slip located on the screen. Most New York sportsbooks have a guide to all the betting types. This guide is handy if you’re new to New York sports betting.


New York Online Sports Betting: Events and Betting Markets

Until New York online sports betting becomes legal, residents can bet at one of the physical New York sports betting locations. You can also travel to neighboring states with legal online sports betting to bet on your favorite sports.

Popular New York Events

New York state has produced multiple world-renowned sports teams. When New York sports betting launches online, you’ll have an array of popular sports at your fingertips for NY sports betting. You can wager by logging into these New York sports betting apps or from your desktop at the online New York sportsbooks.

You can expect basketball, football, baseball, golf, tennis, motorsport, boxing, and numerous other sports to become available on New York betting sites. You can also join residents of other states with legal online sports betting in wagering on these popular sports events:

  • Super Bowl
  • New York Marathon
  • U.S Open Tennis Tournament
  • U.S Open Golf
  • Daytona 500
  • World Series
  • Kentucky Derby
  • Indy 500

Common Types of Bets

When it comes to New York sports betting, seasoned bettors know the various betting types and may even have their favorites that they frequent to maximize winnings. Newbies to betting in New York must learn which bet types work for specific sports or start slowly, with the basics. These are some of the common bet types you’ll find when New York sports betting goes online.

Moneyline or a totals: a bet is being placed on the preferred team or athlete to outright win the event. The moneyline is displayed in negative or positive values, and in US betting refers to the amount you could win per $100 wagered.

For example, imagine a hypothetical event between Team A and Team B. Team A’s moneyline reads -200. This means that they’re the team favored to win.

If you place a bet on Team A to win, you’ll have to wager $200 to make a profit of $100. If Team B is the underdog at a +200 betting odds, a wager of $100 will make a profit of $200.

Other common types of bets include:

Parlays: where you spread your risk over more than one event or match.

Futures: where you bet on singular events within the game.

Make sure to read into betting odds and get educated on favorite teams before risking real money on a bet!

Most Popular Sports to Bet On

In New York, baseball, basketball, and football are the reigning champions of most watched sports in the state. Still, the top sports betting sites will offer everything from pro sports to collegiate events to darts!

MMA fans will find a home on these sports betting websites, too. In some cases you’ll even be able to bet on international events like tennis matches, World Cup soccer, and Aussie rules football.

There are some state-specific restrictions to sports betting, however. As it stands in late 2019, bets on any New York state college teams (like Syracuse or Fordham) are not legal, and it’s expected that this will carry over to online bets.

Popular New York Events

  • Subway Series
  • Super Bowl
  • World Series
  • Stanley Cup
  • March Madness (betting on NY colleges is not allowed)

Daily Fantasy Sports in New York

Players have participated in daily fantasy sports in New York for a handful of years. In 2016, the governor signed a law stating that fantasy sports fall outside gambling regulations, as they are games of skill and not chance. This perception was in line with many other states’ decisions on legal daily fantasy sports.

However, when the activity took off later that year, four New York residents challenged the ruling. They based their challenge on the idea that legalizing fantasy sports went against the state’s ban on gambling. It required a change to the state constitution rather than a ruling by the governor.

In 2018, a judge ruled that fantasy sports were in violation of New York’s gambling laws, and they were once again banned. The case went under appeal, and in early 2020, a New York appeals court upheld the 2018 ruling. The state is likely to appeal this ruling in front of the New York Court of Appeals, the top court in the state.

Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are in limbo in New York and their future hangs in the balance. Contests on sites like FanDuel and DraftKings continue in the state until a final ruling on DFS.


Betting on Pro Sports Teams in New York

New York sports betting on the state’s major league teams is available at any retail New York sportsbooks. Bettors are looking forward to betting online on New York sports betting apps while watching live games from the comfort of their homes. Sports are a large part of daily life in the state; these are the teams garnering the support of New Yorkers.

NFL Betting in New York

Football remains one of the most popular sports in the USA and a common feature in New York sports betting. The state’s residents are spoiled for choice when betting in New York, with three NFL teams to call their own.

New York Giants

The Giants compete in the National Football Conference East Division of the NFL. They’ve been in this division since the American Football League (AFL) and NFL merged way back in 1970. This is the third most successful franchise in the National Football League, having won 16 Division Championships, 11 Conference Championships, and four Super Bowl Championships since joining the NFL in 1925.

The New York metropolitan area is the home base for the Giants. They currently play their home games at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which they share with the New York Jets.

New York Jets

The New York Jets also have their base in the New York metropolitan area. As was previously mentioned, the Jets share the MetLife Stadium with the Giants for home games, an arrangement they entered in 2010.

Initially established as the Titans of New York, the Jets are members of the NFL’s American Football Conference East Division. They’ve had less success than the New York Giants, having won the Super Bowl just once in 1968. A healthy rivalry exists between the two teams, despite their match-ups being irregular. No doubt New York betting sites can cash in on this rivalry when New York sports betting eventually launches online.

Buffalo Bills

Competing against the Jets in the American Football Conference East Division are the Buffalo Bills. The Buffalo Bills is based in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area. They play home games at the Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.

Having had a rather inconspicuous start to their NFL career through the 1970s and 1980s, the Buffalo Bills won four AFC Championships in the nineties. The team’s most recent accolade was winning the Division Championship in 2020, something it’s done eight times since joining the AFC East Division. Loyal Buffalo Bills supporters will continue to back their team when betting online at New York sportsbooks.

NBA Betting in New York

Enthusiasts of New York sports betting wait in anticipation to wager on the NBA online. With National Basketball Association games attracting massive crowds and providing an exciting level of entertainment, they’ll feature highly on New York sports betting apps. The state has two teams in the NBA, both worthy of support at New York sportsbooks.

New York Knickerbockers

Better known as the New York Knicks, this team competes in the NBA’s Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The team is based in the borough of Manhattan in New York City and plays home games at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks is one of two of the original NBA teams still based in its original city.

The Knicks have experienced mixed success, with their most recent victory being the division title in 2013. Before that, they’d won four conference titles, the last being in 1999. It has two championship titles to its name and hopes for better success in the coming seasons.

Brooklyn Nets

Another team that New Yorkers can back for New York sports betting are the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets’ base is in the borough of Brooklyn in NYC. They play home games in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference at the Barclays Center.

The team served some time as the New Jersey Nets, playing in neighboring New Jersey. They moved back to New York in 2012, changing their name to Brooklyn Nets. Despite winning four division titles and two conference titles as the New Jersey Nets, the team has yet to reign victorious since relocating back to New York.

How To Do Sports Bets

NHL Betting in New York

Ice hockey has widespread support throughout the Empire State. When online New York sports betting kicks off, residents can wager on games at New York sportsbooks or New York sports betting apps. The National Hockey League is another major league where New York has a larger presence than many other states; they have two NHL teams.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers started in 1926 and are members of the East Division in the National Hockey League. Like its NBA counterpart, the New York Knicks, they play home games at the world-renowned Madison Square Garden.

In recent years, their success has been minimal, with the Rangers’ last title win coming in the 2014-2015 season. That year saw the team win both the division championships and the President’s Trophy.

New York Islanders

Like their rivals, the Rangers, the Islanders play in the East Division of the NHL. Based in Uniondale, the team enjoys a raft of support from Long Island residents who will undoubtedly welcome online New York sports betting.

Founded in 1972, the New York Islanders hit success after just a few seasons. The team reached the playoffs 14 times and won the Stanley Cup for four consecutive years. Things went somewhat awry in the late 1980s, and the Islanders haven’t managed a title win since the 1987-1988 season.

MLB Betting in New York

Baseball is widely regarded as the most popular sport in New York and is known to draw large crowds to home games. In keeping with the state’s representation in the other major leagues, there are two New York franchises competing in Major League Baseball. Both teams feature on the New York sports betting landscape and generate interest at New York sportsbooks.

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees started as the Baltimore Orioles, becoming the New York Highlanders in 1903 and taking their present name in 2013. Based in the Bronx, the Yankees compete in the East Division of the American League. The team is well supported on the NY sports betting scene.

The Yankees are a hugely successful franchise and hold several MLB records, including the World Series Championship, which they’ve held 27 times. It’s no surprise that they consistently draw one of the largest crowds of all the teams in the NBA.

New York Mets

The borough of Queens is home to the New York Mets, which play in the National League’s East Division. The team’s home ground is Citi Field, where they settled in 2009 after stints at Shea Stadium and Polo Grounds.

The Mets have won the World Series on two occasions, in 1969 and 1986. Their most recent accolades were winning both the East Division title and National League pennant in 2015.

Other New York Teams to Bet on

New York sports betting is open at physical New York betting sites. Residents can easily wager on their favorite professional teams. Unfortunately, betting in New York on college teams remains illegal. It’s unlikely that this will change when New York online sports betting gains legal status. If it does at any stage, you may find these college teams available for New York sports betting on New York sports betting apps.

Betting on College Football in New York

Buffalo Bulls

The Buffalo Bulls are the home team of the University of Buffalo in New York. They’re a member of the Mid-American Conference, competing in the NCAA Division 1 in the Football Bowl subdivision.

The team celebrated some success in the 2000s thus far, winning four division titles and one conference title. Their most successful year was 2008, when they won both the division title and the conference title.

Syracuse Orange

Syracuse University is home to the Syracuse Orange football team. Playing home games at the Carrier Dome, the Syracuse Orange compete in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference and the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision.

The team has a long history of successes, with five conference championships since 1991, two undefeated seasons, and a myriad of individual player accolades. The team has also finished in the Final Top 25 rankings 21 times and spent seven weeks as the top-rated team in the Associated Press polls.

Betting on College Basketball in New York

Syracuse Orange

The Syracuse Orange basketball team from Syracuse University competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA Division 1. Its home venue is the Carrier Dome, which has the largest capacity in NCAA Division 1 basketball, holding over 35,000 spectators.

The Syracuse Orange were the NCAA Tournament Champions in 2003, and were runner-ups in 1987 and 1996. Their games draw huge crowds, and have had the largest average attendance per game in fourteen non-consecutive seasons.

St. John’s Red Storm

St. John’s Red Storm from the St. John’s University in Queens would be an excellent option if New York sports betting on college teams were legal. The team competes in the NCAA Big East Conference and has been Conference Tournament Champions three times. The St. John’s Red Storm currently play their home games at the Carnesecca Arena and train at the adjacent Taffner Field House.


NY Online Sports Betting FAQ

Is sports betting legal in New York?

New York sports betting is only legal at physical New York sportsbooks, located at upstate casinos. New York online sports betting remains under consideration, but we’re likely to see online betting in New York legalized soon.

Can I bet online on my phone in New York?

With online New York sports betting still illegal, NY sports betting can only take place at brick and mortar New York sportsbooks. We must wait until the relevant bills pass and make New York online sports betting legal. You’ll then find a number of New York sports betting apps launching in the state.

What is the minimum age for New York sports betting?

Bettors must be 21 years or older to participate in New York sports betting.

Can I bet on my college football team?

Betting in New York, specifically on university and college sports teams is prohibited.

What payment options can I use for betting in New York?

New York sportsbooks differ in the payment options they offer to bettors. When choosing New York betting sites for New York sports betting, make sure you use one with a payment method that you're familiar with. Most New York betting sites will offer card payment, e-wallets, and prepaid card options.


New York Casinos

Although New York sports betting isn’t yet legal, casinos have been operating in the state for over thirty years. There are currently 32 casinos spread throughout the state, catering to more than 19 million New Yorkers. Most offer 24-hour action for gamblers betting in New York.

The minimum age for wagering at casinos in New York is 21. Players have slot machines, casino games, live casino, and video poker available to them.


Common Payment Options

New York online sports betting should likely offer some of the following common payment and withdrawal options:

  • PayPal
  • ACH/eCheck
  • Prepaid Card
  • PayNearMe
  • Cash @ Cage(for Rivers Casino)
  • Check

Final Thoughts on Betting in New York

Ultimately, a Cuomo win in 2022 means that we won’t see New York online sports betting until at least 2026. This sounds dire, but there’s every possibility that Sen. Addabbo and others couldn’t sway the Governor’s opinion in the opposite direction.

Still, having legal sports betting is a great boon to local economies, so there’s always hope that legal opinion will change. Additionally, there may be a gubernatorial shift in the 2022 election, so that might open the door to legal New York online sports betting.


As of March 2021, New York online sports betting is not yet legal, but there are a variety of New York sportsbooks locations throughout the state. These are retail sportsbooks where bets can be placed in person.

New York’s retail sportsbooks will offer a wide range of wagers on all major sports competitions throughout 2021 and beyond. They are currently all located in Upstate NY.

There are two major restrictions that New York bettors should be aware of. Sports bettors are unable to wager on in-state college schools and mobile sports betting is not currently legal (but it may be by the end of 2021). There are, however, options for bettors in New York to place online bets like crossing the border to make mobile bets in New Jersey.

How To Place A Bet In New York Today

Retail Sportsbooks in New York

If you want to bet on sports while inside the state of New York, you’ll have to visit a retail sportsbook and bet in-person. Some of these 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.

Unfortunately, New York City does not have any retail sportsbooks despite having land-based casinos. The closest in-state option is Resorts World Catskills in Monticello (90 miles from Manhattan). You can find the fill list of New York retail sportsbooks.

Online Sportsbooks In New Jersey Or Pennsylvania

Some New Yorkers may find it easier to simply cross the border into New Jersey or Pennsylvania to bet online. As long as you’re at least 21 and physically located within state lines, you can wager at any of the legally licensed online sportsbooks in those states.

Our favorite NJ & Pennsylvania Sportsbooks for New York residents:

New York Sports Betting Recent Updates

  • NY mobile sports betting bill may pass within weeks? :Senator Addabbo is hopeful that within the next few weeks New York will be able to pass a mobile sports betting bill before the start of the fiscal year (April 1). Governor Andrew Cuomo is currently dealing with multiple scandals that could lead to the legislators’ casino based bill to cross the finish line.
  • Barstool Sportsbook & Golden Nugget get NY market access: Barstool secured access via a deal with Rivers Casino while Golden Nugget inked an agreement with Tioga Downs. Both agreements are good for 20 years, provided New York’s eventual sports betting market allows multiple skins.
  • Cuomo doubled down on his support of a lottery model: In a January 19 budget address, Cuomo reiterated his support of the lottery model, claiming that “the people of New York actually get the profits” from such a model.
  • Empire State lawmakers pushed back with legislation that would authorize casino-tethered sports betting: New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow jointly filed s1183 and a1257, a pair of bills aimed at launching mobile sports betting more along the lines of neighboring New Jersey. Addabo/Pretlow’s model would allow New York casinos to partner with online sports betting operators, welcoming competing apps in the state.
  • Governor Cuomo voices support for mobile sports betting in New York…with a catch: To kick off 2021, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he had changed his tune with regard to mobile sports betting. However, the announcement came with a plot twist. Cuomo wants a lottery-based sports betting model, which would limit the number of operators who could launch in the state.
  • The veto-proof majority of New York Democrats is good news for sports bettors: On November 23, 2020, New York’s Democratic lawmakers achieve a supermajority, meaning they can pass legislation that Governor Andrew Cuomo would be unable to veto. This veto-proof majority likely signals the beginning of online sports betting in New York, which we could see in 2021.
  • New Jersey sports betting totals $931 million: On December 14, 2020, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reported that in-state sportsbooks handled close to a billion dollars in bets. This marks the fourth consecutive time that the Garden State broke the national record for most sports betting in a single month, no doubt with help from New Yorkers crossing the border to bet at legal online sportsbooks.
  • Governor Cuomo announces push for online sports betting: On January 6, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his intention to push for legal online sports betting in his 2021 State of the State address. In the press release, he stated, “New York has the potential to be the largest sports wagering market in the United States, and by legalizing online sports betting we aim to keep millions of dollars in revenue here at home, which will only strengthen our ability to rebuild from the COVID-19 crisis.”
  • DraftKings stock rises by 9%: Immediately following the January 6, 2021 announcement that New York State will likely legalize online sports betting, DraftKings (DKNG) stocks sharply rose by 9%. However, this excitement has since tapered off with the possibility that sports betting will be run by the New York Lottery, which would cut DraftKings and all other casino-style sportsbooks out of the market.
  • Online sports betting announcement receives criticism: On January 14, 2021, Governor Cuomo’s proposal to allow the New York Lottery to operate the state’s only online sportsbook received criticism from State Senator Joe Addabbo. The Queens Democrat is one of many lawmakers pushing for a casino-style, competitive market rather than a lottery-style, state-run sportsbook like they had in Washington, DC at launch.

New York Retail Sportsbook Locations

How To Bet On Sports In Nyc
CasinoSportsbookLocationLaunch Date
Turning Stone Resort & CasinoCaesars SportsVeronaAugust 1, 2019
Resorts World CatskillsSportsbook 360MonticelloSeptember 5, 2019
Rivers Casino SchenectadyRivers SportsbookSchenectadyJuly 16, 2019
del Lago Casino ResortDraftKingsWaterlooAugust 23, 2019
Tioga DownsFanDuelNicholsJuly 22, 2019
Yellow Brick Road CasinoCaesars SportsChittenangoSeptember 4, 2019
Point Place CasinoCaesars SportsBridgeportAugust 1, 2019
Akwesasne Mohawk CasinoPlaySports by IGTHogansburgNovember 27, 2019

Online Sportsbooks In New York: What We Can Expect

A great online sports betting market in New York is only possible if two things happen:

  • Lawmakers pass a bill legalizing online sports betting in the state
  • New York follows the casino model rather than the lottery model for online sportsbooks. If they go with the lottery model instead, sports bettors in the state would have exactly one online sportsbook option, and it’d be run by the New York Lottery.

But if New York offers a competitive online sports betting market that opens the doors to some of the biggest and best sportsbooks in the US, it could very easily generate more sports betting revenue than any other state.

Below are the online sportsbooks you can expect to immediately enter the New York sports betting market:

  • William Hill (Caesars Sports)

These four brands already have retail sportsbooks located across Upstate New York. In fact, The Lounge by Caesars Sports has a location inside Turning Stone in Verona, Yellow Brick Road in Chittenango, and Point Place in Bridgeport, essentially making it Central New York’s main sports betting brand.

But you can also count on the following sports betting apps to join as well:

  • FOX Bet
  • Barstool Sports
  • TwinSpires
  • Golden Nugget

All of these online sportsbooks are available in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which makes it highly likely that they’ll apply for a license in New York State as well.

New York Sports Betting Revenue

In November 2020, sportsbooks across New York State generated $2,619,676 in revenue, which translated to $261,968 in state taxes. That’s incredibly low compared to the sports betting revenue in New Jersey ($931,620,415) and Pennsylvania ($491,910,713) in the same month.

The discrepancies are due to two main factors: those states offer online sportsbooks, and New York City does not have any in-state retail sportsbooks.

However, if New York State legalizes online sports betting, the state could see sportsbook revenue reach $3 billion by the end of 2021. According to State Budget Director Robert Mujica, legal mobile sports betting would increase tax revenue from $50 million to more than $500 million per year.

How New York Compares To Other States

New York Versus Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of just a few states that legalized all forms of online gambling: sports betting, casino games, and poker sites. New York has no form of legal online gambling, so there’s really no comparison. If you like to bet online, Pennsylvania offers one of the best markets.

Here is a complete list of online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania that New York residents can use as long as they’re inside PA state lines:

  • Barstool
  • TwinSpires
  • Caesars Sports
  • DraftKings
  • FanDuel
  • FOX Bet
  • Parx
  • SugarHouse
  • Unibet

More will likely be added in 2021 as well.

New York Versus New Jersey

New Jersey also offers legal online sportsbooks, online casinos, and poker sites. And until New York legalizes online sports betting, New Jersey will remain the state where online sportsbooks generate the most revenue in the country.

New York residents can join any of the following New Jersey online sportsbooks, but you must be physically present in New Jersey to wager:

  • 888 Sport
  • Barstool
  • Bet365
  • TwinSpires
  • BetMGM
  • Borgata Sports
  • BetRivers
  • Caesars Sports
  • DraftKings
  • FanDuel
  • FOX Bet
  • Golden Nugget Sports
  • Hard Rock Sportsbook
  • PointsBet
  • PokerStars Sports
  • SugarHouse
  • theScore
  • Unibet
  • William Hill

Incredibly, the market is continuing to grow, and you can expect a few more in 2021.

New York Betting Successes And Failures

New York Sports Betting Success

New York’s sportsbooks were never expected to do as well as states with online sports betting options. While sportsbook revenue continued to rise throughout the end of 2020, a few million is nothing compared to the hundreds of millions generated monthly in New Jersey.

However, Governor Andrew Cuomo had been outspokenly opposed to any form of legal sports betting, even after the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA in May 2018, a federal law prohibiting states from legalizing it.

Despite his opposition, retail sports betting launched in 2019 inside several Upstate New York casinos. That’s far better than nothing, but a far cry from resounding success.

Where Could New York Improve Online Gambling

Sports bettors in New York, particularly those in NYC, are taking their wagers to New Jersey. It can take under ten minutes to get from certain parts of Manhattan via PATH or ferry, which is far easier than the two-hour drive up to Resorts World Catskills.

Bottom line: New Yorkers are spending millions of dollars in more favorable sports betting markets. Some would reasonably consider that a massive legislative failure.

Both Iowa and Indiana launched online sports betting before Illinois. This meant Illinois had similar problems to New York. Even when Illinois launched online betting, the law restricted Illinois bettors by requiring them to visit a retail sportsbook in Illinois to complete registration. In some cases, it was easier for Illinois residents to hop over a border than travel to an Illinois sportsbook to register. This requirement has been suspended, though, for most of 2020 and into 2021. Now, Illiois is the fourth-largest sports betting market in the US.

New York could learn from this example. If New York authorizes online sports betting, it would be an enormous tax revenue boost.

Legalization Effort In New York

The legalization effort in New York State began way back in 2013 when the state passed Senate Bill S5883, which added Article 13 to the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law.

However, the new bill specifically banned sports wagering “unless federal law governing such wagering is amended or a court finds such law unconstitutional.”

On May 14, 2018, the US Supreme Court indeed found such a law unconstitutional. When the Court overturned PASPA, a 1992 bill restricting states from offering legal sports betting (except for Nevada), New York could pass a bill legalizing sports betting.

Before that even happened, New York Senate Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committee Chair John J. Bonacic sponsored a bill that would have established sports betting regulations ahead of the Supreme Court ruling. However, that bill was still active when he retired that same year.

Thankfully, State Senator Joe Addabbo took over sponsorship of the bill when he became the new Committee Chair, and he became a champion of getting both retail and online sports betting legalized in the state.

Unfortunately, mobile sports betting was not part of the deal. Instead, only retail sportsbooks in Upstate New York casinos could offer legal sports betting.

On July 16, 2019, Schenectady’s Rivers Casino accepted the first legal sports bets, and seven additional retail sportsbooks have opened since.

Timeline For New York Sports Betting

  • December 4, 2017: The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Christie v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, the result of which would eventually overturn PASPA, the federal ban on states legalizing sports betting.
  • March 8, 2018: New York Senate Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committee Chair John J. Bonacic introduced Senate Bill S7900 in an attempt to make state regulators ready to roll out legal sports betting if the US Supreme Court overturns PASPA.
  • May 14, 2018: The US Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey and overturned PASPA, allowing states and other federal jurisdictions to legalize sports betting.
  • December 21, 2018: Following the retirement of State Senator John J. Bonacic, Senate Bill S7900 found a new sponsor in Joe Addabbo, who took over as the New York Senate Racing, Gaming & Wagering Committee Chair.
  • March 20, 2019: The New York State Gaming Commission released regulations regarding sports betting, triggering a 60-day comment period.
  • June 10, 2019: The New York State Gaming Commission approves retail sportsbook licenses for four commercial casinos and all tribal casinos in the state.
  • July 16, 2019: Rivers Casino Schenectady opens the first legal sportsbook in New York State at its in-house Rivers Sportsbook.
  • September 4, 2019: By this day, six additional sportsbooks were open at commercial and tribal casinos across the state: Sportsbook 360 at Resorts World Catskills; DraftKings Sportsbook at del Lago Casino Resort; FanDuel Sportsbook at Tioga Downs; and three Caesars Sportsbook locations at Turning Stone, Point Place, and Yellow Brick Road.
  • November 27, 2019: The new Akwesasne Mohawk Casino in Hogansburg by the Canadian border accepted their first sports bet at the in-house PlaySports Sportsbook by IGT. New Yorkers now have seven options across every corner of Upstate.
  • January 6, 2020: Governor Andrew Cuomo, a major opponent of online sports betting in New York, announced that the state will finally legalize it in 2021. It remains to be seen how that pans out.

New York Teams

Professional Sports Teams

New York sportsbooks can offer any sort of bet on major league sports, including wagers on all New York teams. And New York boasts some of the best teams in the world. New York is also home to the largest number of professional teams of any region in the US.

NFL Teams In NY

The NFL inspires more sports bets than any other league in the US, and Super Bowl betting in New York is the busiest time of year at the sportsbooks.

The state’s three NFL teams are the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, and New York Jets.

While the Giants and the Jets play at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, both are New York teams. If you attend a game, you can bet on your mobile device on New Jersey’s legal sports betting apps.

NY MLB Teams

New Yorkers bet millions every year on the Yankees and the Mets, a legendary crosstown rivalry. And their enormous fandoms span far beyond the boroughs in which they play. New York bettors can bet on these teams as well as all MLB teams in the US.

NBA Teams In New York

The New York Knicks is an organization best known for having championship teams that never win a championship. And like the Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets haven’t won a Championship since the ABA and NBA merged in 1976. But New York bettors don’t shy away from betting on the underdog, especially if it’s an in-state team.

New York NHL Teams

The Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, and New York Rangers represent the State of New York in the NHL. While the Stanley Cup has evaded all of them for close to thirty years, the NHL remains one of the most popular sports for New York betting.

MLS Teams In New York

New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls are two teams that continue to grow in popularity – along with betting on MLS games. On top of international leagues and the World Cup, soccer fans always have a lot of betting opportunities at in-state sportsbooks.

College Sports Teams

While you can bet on college sports in New York, in-state schools are strictly off-limits. That means you can’t bet on Syracuse, Buffalo, Albany, Army, or St. Johns at New York sportsbooks.

A popular workaround is to visit Pennsylvania or New Jersey to bet on New York colleges. In Pennsylvania, you can also bet on their in-state college teams. But in New Jersey, you can’t bet on a game that involves a New Jersey college, or any college game played in the state.

New York’s restriction on in-state colleges won’t change if the state legalizes online sports betting. On top of New Jersey, Illinois also prohibits sports betting on in-state schools and games. But most states do not, including Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.

Thankfully, sportsbooks across the state offer free-to-play March Madness 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.

Other Sports To Bet On In New York

New York boasts world-renowned golf courses that often hold PGA Tour events. As recently as September 14, 2020, the Winged Foot Golf Club in Westchester County hosted the U.S. Open Championship. Turning Stone Casino also offers both a sportsbook and golf course that hosts PGA events, all on the same Verona property.

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.

Interestingly for sports bettors, Watkins Glen is one of only two NASCAR tracks where they race clockwise. Everywhere else, it’s counterclockwise, adding an additional variable to an already exciting and unpredictable sport.

And at all US sportsbooks, including those in New York, international soccer is one of the most popular choices for bettors. Outside of the major leagues and college football and basketball, the English Premier League and other European divisions attract a large number of in-state wagers.

New York Sports Betting FAQs

No, New York does not allow legal online sports betting from within state lines. However, Governor Andrew Cuomo, State Senator Joe Addabbo, and other lawmakers will attempt to legalize it in 2021. It remains to be seen whether it will be a single, state-run online sportsbook or a casino-style market with several different sportsbook options.

Yes. You can be a legal resident of New York and legally bet online while in New Jersey. You can also legally join, deposit, and withdraw at an online sportsbook in New Jersey, but you need to be physically present in the state to place a bet.

What Is The Age Requirement At New York Sportsbooks?

18 or 21. The sports betting age in New York depends on if you’re playing at a commercial casino or a tribal casino. At New York’s four commercial casinos, the sportsbook age is 21 and up. At tribal casinos, such as Turning Stone, Point Place, Yellow Brick Road, and Akwesasne, bettors 18 and up are accepted.

Yes and no. You can bet on college sports in New York as long as it is not an in-state college team like Syracuse or Buffalo. If New York colleges aren’t playing and the game isn’t being held in New York State, it should be available at your closest retail sportsbook. You can call ahead or check the website to see if they’re taking bets on games before you go.

No. If a website accepts a wager from you while you’re in New York State, you’re breaking the law and so is the sportsbook. Aside from the legal risk, illegal betting sites are notorious for refusing to pay winnings or outright disappearing and taking your money with them.

Are DraftKings And FanDuel Legal In New York State?

DraftKings DFS and FanDuel DFS are legal in New York State. Both also have retail sportsbooks, DraftKings at del Lago Casino Resort and FanDuel in Tioga Downs. However, the online FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook are not legal in New York State. New Yorkers can wager at both by visiting Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

How To Bet On Sports In Nyc Times Square

More Resources On New York Sports Betting

Can You Bet On Sports In New York

  • The NYS Gaming Commission website, with resources on rules and regulations, revenue reports, voluntary self-exclusion, and more
  • Sports Betting Rules as enforced by the NYS Gaming Commission
  • New York Sports on ESPN has the latest coverage on 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