Is Sports Betting Legal In New York?

Given legal, out-of-state sports betting options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, New York is missing out on $1 billion a year, Addabbo said. “Twenty-five percent of mobile betting in New Jersey. Sports Betting For New York Residents There are no federal restrictions standing in the way of sports betting in New York. As such, legal sports betting venues located at four upstate New York casinos as well as in a handful of tribal casinos are available for New York residents to bet on sports. Yes, sports betting is legal in the state of New York. However, it is only legal at the physical casinos located in Upstate New York. You can use your mobile phone to bet, but only while you. Our Sportsbook 360 features 6,000 square feet of sports betting with a center bar surrounded by a 360-degree arc of 32 jumbo flat screen televisions and a 9’ x 16’ high-definition screen. With seating to accommodate proper social distancing, stick around for the game day action and place your bets at over 21 betting kiosks across the casino.

New York sports betting has taken a turn in the right direction, but there’s still more work to do to catch up with its neighbors.

As of January 2019, New York State offers physical sportsbooks. The closest in-state option to New York City is Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, while most of the rest are located in Upstate New York toward Binghamton, Syracuse, and Albany.

Mobile Sports Betting In New York Update

While the state has yet to legalize online sports betting, it was discussed as part of an emergency revenue-raising strategy in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nothing came of the measure, but a new glimmer of hope emerged in January of 2021. However, it came with a catch. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo voiced his intent to support mobile sports betting in the state. The catch? He wants a lottery-run sports betting monopoly.

It remains to be seen what form mobile sports betting could take in The Empire State, but the Governor’s change of stance on the topic certainly bodes well for New York sports betting.

According to State Senator Joseph Addabbo, the senator spearheading the campaign to bring mobile sports betting to New York, there is a possibility that mobile sports betting could become legal. In October 2020, NY Sports Day interviewed Sen. Addabbo about the chances and he seemed positive. It’s likely that Sen. Addabbo will be bringing legislation forward in January 2021 in order to see mobile sports betting added to the New York State budget before an April 1, 2021 deadline.

Addabbo clearly recognizes the importance of mobile betting to the New York economy. New York online sports betting could help plug a multi-billion dollar budget deficit that was exacerbated during 2020. Mobile sports betting could bring in $900 million annually in state revenue.

Governor Cuomo, thus far, has stood in the way of progress on this front, finding any movement on gambling in New York State would require an amendment to the state Constitution. He seems to have changed his tune as of June 2020. The mobile sports betting bill passed the state senate by a vote of 57-5, so at this point, Governor Cuomo’s signature is the final hurdle.

On January 20, 2021, State Senator Addabbo and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow’s bill is making progress. The legislation was voted out of committee, indicating strong support from the Assembly and State Senate. Cuomo still supports the lottery-run model, however, so it remains to be seen how far this bill will progress before New York lawmakers must decide between the two formats.

On January 26, 2021, Spectrum Gaming Group released a study in conjunction with the Ney York Gaming Commission. The study outlined possible reasons for bringing mobile sports betting to the Empire State along with recommendations for adding new casinos to the downstate region.

Current NY Online Sportsbook App Options

While waiting for mobile sports betting in New York, it is possible to sign up at these online sportsbooks in New York and bet in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

If you would like to place wagers online or via a sportsbook app, your best choice is to sign-up and deposit while in New York and cross the border into New Jersey or Pennsylvania to place your bets. New users at DraftKings get a 20% deposit bonus up to $1000. This is likely a faster option than going to any of the physical New York sportsbooks which are listed below.

A great option for NY players that are willing to travel to New Jersey to place bets. New users at Sugarhouse sportsbook get 100% up to $250 dollars with a 1x wager requirement. This is a great bonus for players looking for a solid sportsbook with an easy to get bonus.

Download In New York And Bet In New Jersey

Here are all of the mobile sportsbooks that licensed in New Jersey and available to New Yorkers once they are inside of New Jersey state lines:

• DraftKings Sportsbook
• PointsBet
• SugarHouse Sportsbook
• BetMGM Sportsbook
• William Hill
• 888 Sport
• Caesars Sportsbook
• FOX Bet
• Hard Rock Sportsbook
• Golden Nugget Sportsbook
• BetAmerica
• Bet365 NJ
• theScore Bet
• Borgata Sports
• Unibet Sport

Live New York Sportsbook Locations

For the time being, New York sports betting locations are limited to land-based casinos. Legally, New Yorkers cannot yet place a bet online or at an off-track betting (OTB) facility.

Here are all the casino locations currently accepting NY sports bets. We’ve also included whether there’s a New Jersey sportsbook app for those who find themselves in the Garden State.

Top 3 Best Sportsbooks In New York State

DraftKings Sportsbook

There is simply no avoiding the two most successful mobile sportsbook apps, FanDuel and DraftKings. They’re producing successful results in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania that hit too close to home for New York to ignore.

In fact, DraftKings currently operates a sportsbook app in seven of the legal online betting states. Now, success in other states notwithstanding, DraftKings has an affiliation on their side. DraftKings sportsbook app in New Jersey is under the sports betting license of Resorts World.

This is the same Resorts World that operates three casinos in New York. One of their locations is the Resorts World Catskills, and it’s one of the legal sportsbook venues in New York.

Due to DraftKings’s massive customer base, proven track record, and ties to current New York sportsbook operations, they’re at the top of any list of candidates for New York mobile sportsbook app providers.

Plus, the DraftKings app in other states is currently pushing $1,000 worth of new accounts and first deposit incentives, so it can’t come soon enough.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel has just as strong a chance of gaining access to New York’s mobile sports betting market as its daily fantasy sports (DFS) rival DraftKings. They’re currently operating successful mobile sportsbook apps in five states, with bordering New Jersey and Pennsylvania being two of them.

One of the current physical FanDuel sportsbook locations in New York is at the Tioga Downs Casino Resort. FanDuel provides all sportsbook operations at this venue.

Already having skin in the New York sports betting game should certainly bode well for FanDuel. And the fact that they have overwhelmed their competition right across the border in New Jersey will be a huge factor as well.

FanDuel and DraftKings have a huge sportsbook app presence already established across the country. One or both operate in nearly every state where online betting is legal, and their DFS platforms are the far and wide leaders. They also provide the logistic platform for a number of brick-and-mortar sportsbook facilities, including at a couple of New York sportsbooks.

When FanDuel does launch its sportsbook app, FanDuel will almost certainly pass along the same $500 risk-free first bet opportunity it offers in other states.

Rivers Sportsbook

BetRivers doesn’t have the kind of name recognition as FanDuel and DraftKings. But their mobile app is offered in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, and Colorado.

So whenever New York decides to allow online sports betting, you can expect the BetRivers app to be one of the choices.

In the meantime, you can head to Schenectady, NY; Philadelphia, PA; or Pittsburgh, PA to experience the Rivers Sportsbook in person. It’s the same odds you’ll find on their highly popular sports betting website. And you can use the odds picker to make your selection ahead of time.

At the Schenectady location, you can bet via 14 self-serve kiosks or six betting windows. They have close to two dozen TVs, luxury seating, and food and drink service.

Not too shabby, but we’re holding out for the online version. In New Jersey, the BetRivers app will double your first deposit up to $250.

The Recent History Of New York State’s Sports Betting Legislation

Brick-And-Mortar Sportsbooks

New York’s legislators approved regulations for sports betting at physical locations in January 2019.

After watching New Jersey’s success, lawmakers realized that revenue was simply walking across the proverbial state line. When Pennsylvania legalized sportsbooks, the problem compounded. The idea that New York would hand over much-needed financial revenue seemed senseless to all residents and sports fans alike.

Nevertheless, it took roughly a year to open the first sportsbook. But in October 2019, folks in Upstate New York could finally place legal sports bets.

Even though New York was the 14th state to permit sports betting, it restricted sportsbook venues to four upstate casinos. They included no provisions in the legislation for mobile betting. Many were scratching their heads at this development.

Online Sportsbooks Apps

While lawmakers saw the success of other states that came before them, they seemed to ignore the numbers. In June 2019, Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. attempted to amend the sports betting bill to include online wagering.

The bill passed the New York Senate by a 57 to 5 vote. However, Governor Cuomo vetoed the bill. There was overwhelming support for an online amendment to the final sports betting legislation, but Cuomo publicly said he would not approve it.

To date, there seems to be little progress toward opening up New York to mobile sports bettors. New Jersey specifically showed tremendous promise from each licensed sportsbook app operating in the state. Eighty percent of the betting revenue was generated online.

Why So Much Resistance From The Governor?

The path to legal sports betting in New York was bumpy. Clearly, the process of including mobile sportsbook apps is proving even more difficult. Nearly all the resistance comes from the governor’s office. Most who hope to change his mind are at a loss for any actual reason.

Governor Cuomo’s black eye in a battle with two prominent sportsbook players, FanDuel and DraftKings, may be part of the issue. Cuomo lost that battle to have each of these daily fantasy sports (DFS) companies ruled illegal in his state, and both offer DFS in NYS today.

While there is no direct evidence pointing to any personal animosity, it would seem his resistance to online sports betting is a reality. And some assume it stems from his administration’s legal defeat.

As New York faces extreme financial hardship due to COVID-19 and other factors, it would seem like a time to put petty differences aside. And there is some hope from the final outcome of the New York vs. DFS legal squabble.

The governor ultimately did sign the law in August 2016, which ruled that daily DFS contests are not a form of gambling. There were rumors that Cuomo was going to veto that bill, but he didn’t.

Regardless, since The United States Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting in 2013, New York’s highest office has displayed reluctance toward welcoming mobile sportsbook operations with open arms. In fact, it’s been essentially a no-go proposition.

In his defense, Cuomo insists that legal mobile sports betting would require amending the New York State Constitution. Despite a collective bipartisan disagreement on that being legal truth, that’s really the only bonafide reason the governor presented.

The governor also floated the idea that he had reservations about everyone being able to bet from their phone. During a radio interview, Cuomo wasn’t pressed on his reasoning behind that substance-lacking excuse.

Problem gambling in his state seemed to be the impetus behind his concerns. However, lawmakers have already visited this problem inside the legislation. The bill to amend the legal sports betting law included 14 points to deal with problem gambling issues.

While lawmakers have apparently tried to dot all their i’s and cross all their t’s, Cuomo still voices resistance to mobile sportsbooks. However, the staff at the New York Treasurer’s Office may be whispering to him that a new wind of change needs to be in the air.

Could Change Be In The Air?

New York was in bad financial straits before the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the state is staring down the face of bankruptcy after COVID-19 has devastated its already bleak monetary outlook.

There isn’t a single state currently allowing legal sports bets that hasn’t benefited financially from the decision. New York lawmakers realized that when they agreed to open physical locations.

Nevertheless, there is no disputing the massive amount of betting handle that is wagered using mobile devices. Reports surfaced last year that Senator Addabbo was pushing his mobile app legislation, and 84 lawmakers supported the idea.

Can New Yorkers Bet Using New Jersey Sports Betting Apps?

New Jersey is one of the most liberal states when it comes to online gambling. They currently offer online sportsbooks, online casinos, and poker sites, which covers all the bases.

On the online sports betting front, New Jersey has at least 17 different sportsbook options. The state also does not require you to register in-person, which means you can download the app and sign up for an account from New York State (or anywhere else in the country).

However, you do need to be physically located in New Jersey to place a bet through the online sportsbooks.

Physical New York Sportsbooks Are Online In New Jersey

As painful as that fact may be, all the top sportsbooks in New York State are available to bettors in the Garden State – and they don’t need to leave home to wager. But there’s good news.

If you’re willing to enter New Jersey to bet, you can participate in the welcome bonuses, place bets, and withdraw your winnings despite being an NYS resident. The only requirements are that you’re at least 21 years old and you’re within New Jersey state lines.

Is It Legal For New Yorkers To Bet In New Jersey?

Yes, it is completely legal for you to travel to New Jersey and bet online. You don’t even need to leave your car. Just make sure location tracking is turned on in the app, pull over somewhere safe, place your bet, then head on home.

If you’re closer to the New Jersey border than you are to a New York sportsbook, this is likely the easiest way to place a legal bet. The same is true for New York State residents who live close to the Pennsylvania border.

New York Sports Betting: Everything You Can And Can’t Bet On

Sports You Can Bet On In New York

You can bet on all forms of professional and out-of-state collegiate sporting events listed at the sportsbook. You can also bet on international competitions, from Korean baseball to French soccer.

The most popular sporting events for folks in New York include:

• Super Bowl
• World Series
• NCAA March Madness
• The World Cup

The professional New York and New Jersey teams that inspire the most betting are:

• New York Knicks
• Brooklyn Nets
• New York City FC
• New York Mets
• New York Rangers
• Buffalo Bills
• Buffalo Sabres
• New York Islanders
• New Jersey Devils

Sports Wagers Not Offered In New York By Law

You cannot bet on in-state college athletics in New York State. That means powerhouses like Syracuse, Buffalo, and Army are strictly off-limits.

You also can’t bet on high school sports or any sport with participants under the age of 18 (like esports).

What Are The Types Of Sports Bets Available In New York?

As long as you’re not betting on in-state colleges and universities, everything else is fair game. You can bet as much as the sportsbook is willing to accept as well. And you should be able to wager for as little as $1.00 or less.

The specific types of bets might depend on the sportsbook. But all of the sports betting outlets in New York State offer the following options:

• Moneyline
• Points Spread
• Totals (Over/Under)
• Futures
• Prop Bets
• Parlays/Accumulators

All New York sportsbooks also offer in-game (AKA live) betting, where you can place a bet on a game after it’s begun.

Beyond those options, things get a bit more nuanced. Specific sports have specific types of bets. For example, the Grand Salami for hockey. Some sportsbooks will offer teasers and pleasers, others won’t.

You can call ahead to see what’s on offer before driving to a casino. Many sportsbooks also have a “bet builder” tool on their website so you can determine your bets ahead of time.

Are There Bonuses At Physical Sportsbooks In New York?

No, not in the same sense as an online sportsbook bonus. The casino may have some promotional offers, such as a spin for a prize when you sign up for their reward program.

But the “first deposit” and “risk-free” bet offered by Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers are not offered at the physical location. When online sports betting comes to New York, you’ll have your pick of numerous bonus offers.

However, it’s still worthwhile to sign up for the rewards programs. You can earn points that can be used toward hotel stays, tickets to shows, free meals, and other special offers.

Is It Worth It To Use Illegal Sports Betting Sites?

No. Some people will beg to differ with us on that, but it’s just not.

Offshore betting sites are breaking New York State law. In fact, their lack of oversight allows them to offer their services practically anywhere. The question is: What else can these websites do with impunity? When a bettor doesn’t have any real recourse if there’s a dispute, that’s an unsafe betting site, period.

What’s to say your personal information is safe? Will you be paid out your winnings? Are the bonus terms and conditions reasonable, or are they designed to rip you off?

You can do research, read reviews, and weigh the risks. But at the end of the day, isn’t gambling risky enough? Do you really want to add potentially joining an illegitimate website into the mix?

It’s understandable that someone might consider offshore alternatives. If you just want to put ten bucks on the game you’re watching, it’s probably not worth it to get in the car and drive to Chittenango, NY, or the New Jersey border.

But the safest answer isn’t to join an illegal site. The safest choice is to not bet on the game.

Remember to Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-GAMBLER if you think you have a gambling problem.

Sports Betting In NY – Common Questions

Yes. In January 2019, New York State legalized sports betting, and the first locations opened in October 2019. New York currently prohibits online sports betting in every form except for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). But New York residents can travel to New Jersey or Pennsylvania to legally place online sports bets.

Technically, yes. But no casino in New York City offers sports betting, and OTB facilities cannot host sports betting.

In fact, the state’s largest casino, Resorts World at JFK Airport, does not host a sportsbook.

That means New Yorkers need to travel upstate or into neighboring states to place a legal sports bet.

If you are physically located within New Jersey, you are able to place online bets via any of the New Jersey sportsbook apps. You are allowed to sign-up and deposit while in New York but sports betting apps check your location (via GPS) when placing a bet.

We estimate that NY online sports betting would bring $900 million dollars in annual revenue and up to $1.3 billion if skins are allowed. New York would quickly become one of the largest online sports betting markets in the United States.

Between 18 and 21. At New York State tribal casinos, the gambling age is 18. At commercial casinos, the gambling age is 21. You’ll still need to be 21 at the tribal casinos to purchase alcohol or gain access to some events.

Yes. But not if any of the competitors are under the age of 18, which may be why you rarely find esport contests listed at American sportsbooks.

The most prominent professional teams employ the best players in the world, many of which are under 18. But it is possible to see bets on the highest profile tournaments, such as the League of Legends World Championship.

All professional and collegiate level sports except for in-state schools. You can bet on all major leagues in the US and internationally. All NCAA contests are also fair game unless they involve schools like Syracuse, Buffalo, and so on. You cannot bet on amateur or high school sports, the weather, TV, or politics either.

Yes, as long as no in-state schools are playing. That means most Division 1 NCAA schools are fair game. And if you are betting on out-of-state schools, you should be able to place all the same bets as you would on a professional sport, including in-game betting.

But betting on college football games that feature Syracuse, Buffalo, Army, or any other in-state school are explicitly not allowed.

Yes. You’ll need to pay the 24% federal income tax as well as New York income tax on net gambling winnings. This includes anything won at the casino, sportsbook, or lottery. You also may need to pay an additional city tax depending on where you live in the New York Metropolitan Area.

Yes, the physical DraftKings Sportsbook has a presence in New York. You can find the DraftKings sportsbook at del Lago Resort, which is located in the Finger Lakes region.

DraftKings does not yet have an app available in New York. They’ll need to wait until the state greenlights online sports betting.

Yes. The FanDuel Sportsbook is available in Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, New York, a racino that offers both casino games and sports betting as well as on-site horse racing.

However, the FanDuel Sportsbook app can only be used if you travel to Pennsylvania or New Jersey, where online sports betting is legal.

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 online 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.

New York Sports Betting Recent Updates

• 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.

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:

• 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:

• TwinSpires (formerly BetAmerica)
• FOX Bet
• PointsBet
• Unibet

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.

All New York State Sportsbooks

How To Place A Bet In New York

Retail Sportsbooks

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.

New York Sports Betting Bill

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.

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
• BetMGM
• 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.

Mobile Sports Betting Ny

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.

New York State Mobile Sports Betting

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.

Sports Betting Ny

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.

Online Sports Betting Ny

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.

More Resources On New York Sports Betting

Sports Betting Ny State

• 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