New York Sports Betting

New York Legal Sports Betting Overview

New York Sports Betting Summary

New York online sports betting launched in January 2022 after Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the state’s 2022 legislative budget, in April 2021. Every month since this launch, the state has had the biggest sports betting handle in the US, outperforming some of the most-established markets like New Jersey and Nevada. Retail sportsbooks are also legal in New York and have operated in partnered casinos since July 2019.

There are now eight licensed online sportsbooks in New York, with 11 retail sportsbooks at partner casinos. While the Empire State is home to some of the biggest brands in the US, like BetMGM and DraftKings, you can also find smaller NY operators, such as Resorts World Bet and the retail Sticks Sportsbook. New York also has ten major-league sports teams, the second-most in the US behind California, making it a perfect market for bettors.

New York Online Sportsbooks Compared

Eight sportsbooks are licensed to provide online sports betting in New York. Our betting experts have reviewed all eight to help you find the best bookmaker for your preferences:

• Best Mobile App – DraftKings

Live streaming is not a feature you will find on many US sportsbooks, but it is available exclusively on DraftKing’s mobile app. That, on its own, is very impressive, but this user-friendly app makes betting easy. Available for Apple and Android devices, the app provides excellent connectivity for live betting and live streaming.

Get your DraftKings Sportsbook promo code for Sep 2024.

• Best Welcome Bonus – PointsBet

There are many great NY welcome bonuses, but PointsBet Sportsbook gives you the chance to place risk-free bets up to $2,000. $500 of that can be used on standard fixed odds betting. If your wager loses, the sportsbooks will give you free bets equal to your stake; you must use the other $1,500 on PointsBet’s unique Points Betting feature. Also, you must spend your free bets before you can withdraw any profit, but this won’t include the value of your free bet’s stake. Still, we found the PointsBet welcome bonus to be the most generous and exciting in the NY betting market.

• Best for Competitive Odds – Caesars

All NY sportsbooks offer competitive odds, but Caesars sportsbook often has some of the most generous betting lines on the market. The sportsbook provides particularly competitive betting odds on prop bets across a range of sports, as well as running daily odds boosts on major league sports.

Claim your Caesars Sportsbook promo code for Sep 2024.

• Best for Market Coverage – BetMGM

The New York State Gaming Commission decides which sports betting sites can cover. While some bookmakers choose to cover only the most popular sports, BetMGM does a great job covering all markets. You’ll even find great coverage of European sports like rugby union and soccer. It’s not just that you can bet on these sports, but there are also numerous markets and live betting options.

Get your BetMGM Sportsbook promo code for Sep 2024.

• Best for Beginner Bettors – BetRivers

BetRivers offers bettors a simple and easy-to-understand desktop site, perfect for novice bettors and those placing their first wagers. You can easily change between sports and find the latest promotions. The bet slip separates your stake from how much you can win, perfect for helping new bettors calculate their payouts.

Claim your BetRivers Sportsbook promo code for Sep 2024.

• Best for Payout Speed – FanDuel

Most sportsbooks withdrawals take a similar amount of time, but FanDuel processes most payments within 48 hours. Better yet, the site often completes withdrawals with specific options like e-wallets sooner, some even instantly. However, first-time cashouts may need a longer time to process by any sportsbook.

Claim your FanDuel Sportsbook promo code for Sep 2024.

How Does New York Compare to Other States?

• Market Coverage

Sportsbooks in New York offer broad coverage of professional sports from US major leagues to international competitions. The number of regulated professional sports betting markets lines up with most US states. New York doesn’t allow college sports betting on in-state teams to protect local athletes from the pressure of wagering. Also, while eSports betting is regulated, the New York State Gaming Commission regulates these markets from event to event. That’s because some eSports players are younger than 18.

• Competitive Odds & Prices

Most sportsbooks in New York are available in many other states in the US. We found no noticeable differences when comparing these sportsbooks’ NY odds to those offered in other jurisdictions. Along with competitive odds, many sportsbooks offer frequent odds boosts to New York players to encourage them to join this new and prosperous market.

• Gambling Revenue

New York has the highest online sportsbook operator tax in the US at 51%. Pennsylvania has the next highest sportsbook tax at 36%. Empire State lawmakers knew that the state’s increased population and numerous sports franchises would attract sportsbooks, even with such high rates.

Over the first few months of online sports betting, the results have proven NY lawmakers right. The state has handled over $1 billion every month since the January 2022 launch. The state has made about $200 million in taxes from this betting handle. The impact of mobile betting taxes has been enormous, considering the state has collected around $20 million in tax revenue from retail sportsbooks since 2019.

• Betting Taxes

According to the Internal Revenue Code, every sportsbook in the US must pay a 0.25% excise tax on its sports betting handle. Sportsbooks must also pay $50 for every employee involved in accepting sports wagers.

Similarly, you must declare all sports betting profits to the IRS when you complete your taxes. If you make a profit over $600, you must fill out a W-2G form. If you make over $600 at two different sportsbooks, you must complete two W-2G forms. Sportsbooks can also hold up to 24% of your winnings for tax purposes. In New York, bettors must also pay a state tax which varies from 4%-10.9% depending on your income. In addition, bettors in New York City must pay an extra tax rate ranging from 3.078% to 3.876% for single residents earning above $50,000.

How to Place a Bet in New York

Sports betting is a new market in New York, so it’s likely many sports fans will be betting online for the first time. Follow our guide below to sign up with a sportsbook and place your first bet in minutes:

1. Choose one of the New York sportsbooks currently available online in the Empire State and visit their site.

2. You can play on the sportsbook’s website or download their app by visiting the site and following instructions. You can also head to your device’s app store and download the sports betting app to your Apple or Android device.

3. Provide your full name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to register an account. If you are using a mobile app, you must enable geolocation services.

4. Head to the cashier section and add your preferred payment method to make your first deposit. Many welcome offers require a minimum deposit, so be sure to add this amount to become eligible for your bonus.

5. Browse through the sportsbook’s markets and select one for your first bet. Add the market to your bet slip, choose how much of your bonus funds to use, and place the wager.

6. New York gambling laws require sportsbooks to verify your identity before letting you withdraw winnings. Upload or email copies of your photo ID, proof of address, and any other requested documents.

7. If your bets are successful, revisit the cashier section and follow the site’s withdrawal instructions.

Who is Not Eligible to Bet in NY?

You must be at least 21 years old and within the state’s borders to place legal bets in New York. Sportsbooks will use geolocation services to ensure you play within the Empire State and verify your age with your photo ID. Yet, serving in some positions prohibits you from betting, including:

• College sports teams and professional sports teams athletes.

• College sports teams and professional sports teams coaches and staff.

• Individuals holding a stake in a sports team.

• Individuals with authority to influence athletes.

• Individuals with access to non-public information about a sports team that could affect the outcome of events (e.g., player medical records).

• Referees who work for professional and college leagues and athletic competitions.

• Employees of the leagues that create rules for professional and college sports (e.g., NFL, NCAA)

• Employees of organizations with licenses from the New York State Gaming Commission to provide sports betting, including officers, owners, key staff members, and directors.

• Individuals that have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling activities.

• Individuals prohibited from wagering on a state or federal level (e.g., due to criminal history).

Latest New York Sports Betting Updates

Timeline for Sports Betting in New York

• January 8, 2022: The first online sportsbooks launch in New York, including FanDuel, Caesars, DraftKings, and BetRivers.

• April 19, 2021: Gov. Cuomo signs the state legislative budget for 2022. Part of this bill includes legalizing online sports betting.

• 2020: Attempts to bring back bills from 2019 are derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

• July 16, 2019: Retail sportsbooks launch in New York.

• June 2019: Senator Joe Addabbo Jr.’s S 17D bill to legalize sports betting passes the Senate. However, the bill dies in the House.

• May 2018: The US Supreme Court deemed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) unconstitutional, allowing US states to legalize sports betting.

• March 2018: Sen. John Bonacic introduces S 7900 to the Senate to legalize sports betting. The bill does not move past the Committee.

• August 2016: Gov. Cuomo signs bill to allow DFS operators to return to New York.

• October 2015: Attorney General Eric Schneiderman describes Daily Fantasy Sports as “...a rebranding of sports betting” and orders DraftKings and FanDuel to cease operations for DFS.

New York Sports Betting Background

New York’s sports betting laws date back to 2013 when voters decided to change state law so commercial casinos could launch. The state already had Native American casinos operating. As a part of this law change, lawmakers concluded that these casinos could launch retail sportsbooks. However, PASPA prohibited states across the US from operating any kind of sports betting. When the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2018, these laws became active and retail sportsbooks could launch without any further legislation in 2019.

Future of New York Sports Betting

There appears to be no rush to expand the New York betting market, with Sen. Addabbo Jr. saying lawmakers will “look at this maybe six or seven months down the road.” While other sportsbooks are interested in launching in the state, like Barstool Sportsbook and bet365, these operators may have to wait until late 2022 or early 2023 to do so.

New York Sports Betting Locations

11 of New York’s 22 casinos offer retail sports betting. Here are some of the Empire State’s most popular gambling locations offering legal sports wagering:

Del Lago Resort & Casino

• Address: 1133 NY-414, Waterloo, NY 13165

• Website: https://dellagoresort.com/

• Phone Number: (315) 946-1777

• Operator: DraftKings

The sportsbook at the Del Lago Resort & Casino is operated by DraftKings and takes up 6,000 square feet of space. There are four betting windows, 23 betting kiosks, and 1,000 square feet of LED flat screens showing sports. Yet, it’s not just a sportsbook, as the bar has more than 30 beers on tap with a wide range of cocktails. There is also a full menu of food to enjoy while placing your bets. The Del Lago also has a casino with over 1,700 slot games, a rewards program, and a range of entertainment and amenities.

Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort

• Address: 873 NY-37, Hogansburg, NY 13655

• Website: https://mohawkcasino.com/

• Phone Number: (518) 358-2222

• Operator: Sticks Sportsbook

At Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, you can find the sportsbook by visiting Sticks Sportsbook and Grill. Here you will discover betting kiosks where you can wager on major US sports with moneylines, parlays, and spreads. You can also find two sports betting kiosks in the E-Table Games Lounge. The Grill has a broad menu, including Maple Brewing and ice cream. There are also 18 65’’ TVs, a 9x13 TV wall, and a live odds wall you can enjoy in its comfortable seating areas.

Tioga Downs

• Address: 2384 W. River Road, Nichols, NY 13812

• Website: https://www.tiogadowns.com/

• Phone Number: (888) 946-8464

• Operator: FanDuel

The FanDuel sportsbook at Tioga Downs covers 2,600 square feet with seating for more than 50 customers. That includes 12 lounge seats, seven high tables, and two drink rails. Bettors can wager at eight betting windows while watching sports on 27 video displays and the massive video wall. There are also three sports tickers. The casino boasts 890 gaming machines, 28 table games, and a poker room.

Other New York Land-Based Casinos

New York Lottery Locations

The minimum age to play the lottery in NY is 18, although you must be 21 to play Quick Draw. The New York Lottery estimates that there are over 15,000 Lottery retailers in the state. Despite the New York Lottery holding valid licensing with the New York State Gaming Commission, which also licenses sportsbooks, no sportsbooks have partnerships with lottery retailers. Therefore, you cannot place sports bets at these retailers.

Off-Track and Stadium Betting Locations

All retail sportsbooks in New York must launch in partnership with a land-based casino and build the sports betting facilities within the grounds of this casino. Therefore, there are no stadium sportsbooks in New York.

Yet, the state has a long history with horse racing, with Saratoga Race Course the longest-running horse racetrack in the US. The New York State Gaming Commission oversees the pari-mutuel betting at the state’s four thoroughbreds and seven standardbred racetracks.

The Commission is also responsible for the five regional off-track betting (OTB) corporations that run more than 100 OTB locations around the state. The corporations are: Capital District Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, Catskill Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, Nassau Off-Track Betting Corporation, Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, and Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation.

Teams to Bet on in New York

• Pro Sports

Buffalo Bills: Reaching the Super Bowl four times, upstate’s Bills are tied with the Minnesota Vikings for the most appearances in the big game without winning it. Its AFL Championships before the merger with the NFL make it the only sports franchise in Buffalo to win a national championship.

New York Giants: While the NY Giants joined the NFL in 1925 with five other teams, it’s the only one of that group still remaining. The team has won four Super Bowls and has the unique honor of being the first professional football team to retire a player number - Ray Flaherty’s No. 1.

New York Jets: The NY Jets are one of two teams in the NFL to win its lone appearance in the Super Bowl in 1968. Yet, the team plays in New Jersey.

Brooklyn Nets: After spending 35 years playing in New Jersey, the Nets returned to New York with its new name, the Brooklyn Nets. While the franchise has never won the NBA Finals, it won two ABA Championships before the merger.

New York Knicks: The full name of this team is the New York Knickerbockers. The team plays at the famous Madison Square Gardens in New York and have won two NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973.

New York Mets: Playing in MLB's National League East Division, the Mets have won two World Series. That includes the 1969 “Miracle Mets,” one of the biggest upsets in professional baseball.

New York Yankees: The most successful baseball franchise in the US and the most famous globally, the Yankees have won a massive 27 Word Series. That’s more than double its nearest competitor, the St. Louis Cardinals, with 11 MLB Championships.

Buffalo Sabres: Playing in the Atlantic Division of the NHL's Eastern Conference, the Sabres are yet to win a Stanley Cup.

New York Islanders: Winning the Stanley Cup the same number of times as its rivals, the Rangers (4), the Islanders have only lost the NHL’s finals series once.

New York Rangers: While the New York Rangers have won four Stanley Cups, the team has also made it to the NHL’s finals series and lost seven times.

• College Sports

Albany Great Danes: Most University of New York at Albany’s Great Danes sports teams play in the America East Conference. Its football team plays in the Colonial Athletic Association, and its women’s golf team is a part of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Army Black Knights: The United States Military Academy’s Army Black Knights against the Naval Academy Midshipmen is one of the biggest college football rivalries in the US. The game is televised every year, and currently, the Navy leads the overall series.

Binghamton Bearcats: The University of New York at Binghamton’s Bearcats are a part of the State University of New York system and sponsor 21 varsity sports.

Buffalo Bulls: The University of New York at Buffalo’s Bulls only had one NCAA Championship at Division I level when Johnathan Jones won the shot put for track and field in 2015.

Canisius Golden Gryphons: The basketball program at Canisius College has reached the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament four times. Its last appearance came in 1996.

Colgate Raiders: There are 23 sponsored varsity teams at Colgate University, including basketball, cross country, and lacrosse.

Columbia Lions: A member of the Ivy League, Columbia University sponsors 31 varsity teams. These include fencing, golf, and squash.

Cornell Big Red: Cornell University competes in the Ivy League and Ivy League Championships across men’s baseball, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball.

Fordham Rams: While Fordham University is commonly believed to be the inspiration for the term Ivy League, the school competes in the Atlantic Big 10 in all sports except football.

Hofstra Pride: In 1976, future Olympian Nick Gallo won the NCAA Championship for wrestling in the 126lb weight class for the Hofstra University Pride.

Iona Gaels: The Iona College Gaels women’s basketball program was a founding member of MAAC and appeared in the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament.

LIU Sharks: The Long Island University Sharks are yet to win a Division I NCAA Championship. However, the men’s lacrosse has won three Division II Championships, and the women’s lacrosse has won four.

Manhattan Jaspers: The Manhattan College Jasper’s lone NCAA Championship came in 1973, as the school won the indoor track and field. It was the smallest school to win a track title at Division I level.

Marist Red Foxes: The Marist College Red Foxes have a famous rivalry with the Siena Saints. Named the “Battle of the I-87,” the teams play each other in basketball in the MAAC.

Niagara Purple Eagles: Sponsoring 18 varsity teams, the Niagara University men’s hockey team has made four NCAA post-season appearances.

St. Bonaventure Bonnies: The St. Bonaventure University Bonnies sponsor 17 varsity sports, including its wrestling program. Alumni Ed Don George came 4th in wrestling at the 1928 Olympics.

St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers: The St. Francis College Terriers have several rivalries in basketball, playing the LIU Sharks in the Battle of Brooklyn tournament and the Wagner Seahawks in the Battle of Verrazano.

St. John’s Red Storm: The Red Storm won its only NCAA Championship in 1996 when St John’s University’s soccer team beat the FIU Panthers 4-1.

Siena Saints: There are 21 sponsored varsity sports at Siena College, including cross country, soccer, and tennis.

Stony Brook Seawolves: Lucy Van Dalen wrote herself into Stony Brook University Seawolves history when she won the school’s first NCAA Individual Championship in indoor track.

Syracuse Orange: The men’s lacrosse program at Syracuse University has won ten NCAA Championships. The school has won five other NCAA Championships in cross country, boxing, basketball, and women’s field hockey.

Wagner Seahawks: The Wagner College Seahawks play in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and compete in the Northeast Conference for all sports except its water polo program.

• Women’s Sports

New York Liberty: Founded in 1997, the Liberty has the unwanted record of the most WNBA Finals without winning a WNBA Championship.

NJ/NY Gotham FC: A founding member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Gotham FC didn’t win any major trophies while in the league. Yet, it did win the Women’s Professional Soccer League in 2009 before it folded.

New York Responsible Gambling Resources

• New York Council on Problem Gambling – Offers resources on preventing and treating problem gambling. Guides people to supporting organizations. (518) 867-4084

• Office of Addiction Services and Supports – Advises preventing problem gambling and responsible play. Also offers educational material about problem gambling. (877) 846-7369

• New York State Problem Gambling Resource Centers – Directs people to problem gambling help centers in their region, including addresses and phone numbers.

New York followed the model of many states in the US and provided its bettors with a state-wide self-exclusion program. This scheme lets players sign up to prohibit themselves from accessing any gambling site or location in NY. It also stops them from receiving promotional gambling material. Players can visit the New York State Gaming Commission’s website to join the self-exclusion program, fill out the form, and mail it to the commission.

As part of the state’s regulations, every NY sportsbook must offer a responsible-gambling section on its app and website. It includes resources and information about safe gambling, tools for managing your betting activities and bankroll, and contact information for local support groups.

Who Oversees Sports Betting in New York?

The New York State Gaming Commission oversees all sports betting in New York. This Commission regulates online and retail sports wagering, horse racing betting, Daily Fantasy Sports, charitable games like bingo, and the lottery. Its responsibilities include testing and checking new sportsbooks to ensure each site provides adequate safety and responsible gambling support for players. The New York State Gaming Commission must also check that sportsbooks continue to meet these standards and any new regulations on sports betting.

The Commission launched in 2013 and merged the responsibilities of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and the New York State Division of Lottery. Five Commissioners oversee the regulatory body, chosen by the Governor with advice from the Senate. The current Chair is Barry Sample.