New York Sports Betting

New York sports betting got underway in July 2019, with commercial and tribal casinos opening retail sportsbooks to take in-person wagers.

Lawmakers long struggled to reach a consensus on regulating online sports betting in New York, but they made a breakthrough in April 2021 by including legislation in the state budget.

The first New York sports betting sites launched in January 2022 after receiving the final approval of the Gaming Commission. Now, New York is home to nine legal online sportsbooks.

Bettors 21 and older can download New York online sports betting apps, register, and bet online from anywhere in state lines.

Legal New York Betting Sites

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21+ and physically present in NY. For help with a gambling problem call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369).

New York Sports Betting Apps

After New York legalized online sports betting, the NYS Gaming Commission selected nine operators to receive licenses.

The first New York online sportsbooks launched in early 2022 and are now open to customers 21 or older:

New York Sports Betting Bonuses

Despite its high tax rate, New York is a competitive market with nine sports betting apps operating in what could easily become the nation’s largest sports betting market.

The best New York sports betting sites offer large welcome bonuses, frequent promotions, and value-added loyalty programs.

Additionally, the NYS Gaming Commission asked operators to submit their marketing and promotional plans during the selection process.

Each of the nation’s biggest operators confirmed they intend to aggressively market to attract new customers and draw existing bettors away from illegal offshore sportsbooks.

New York Sports Betting Locations

New York’s four upstate commercial casinos and seven tribal casinos operate retail sportsbooks.

Rivers Casino Sportsbook holds the distinction of accepting New York’s first-ever legal sports wager. Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy placed the first legal wager on July 16th, 2019, during the sportsbook’s grand opening ceremony.

The newly-constructed Rivers Casino Sportsbook occupies 5,000 square feet near Van Slyck’s lounge just off the main gaming floor

Inside, customers will find six staffed betting windows, 14 self-service kiosks, seating for 80 guests, a 53-foot LED video wall, and nearly two dozen other 86” TVs.

TwinSpires operates a 6,000-square-foot sportsbook at del Lago, featuring betting windows, 24/7 self-serve betting kiosks, a live odds board, 1,000 square feed of LED video screens, and a full food menu.

DraftKings operated the del Lago sportsbook previously, but TwinSpires took over in early 2023 after Churchill Downs Inc purchased the casino’s parent company.

FanDuel Sportsbook at Tioga Downs also began taking wagers in July after receiving approval from the NY Gaming Commission.

The 2600 square foot sportsbook features eight betting windows, a large video wall, 27 TVs, and seating for 50+ customers.

The partnership between Tioga Downs and FanDuel also extends to online betting.

TS Sports at the NY Rec & Social Club features more than 60 HD screens, table seating, massive food and drink menus, a competitive gaming floor featuring billiards, shuffleboard, foosball, arcade games, and more.

TS Sports features a 24-foot HD video wall, 30 LED screens, and a Luxury VIP area in a setup similar to the sportsbook at Turning Stone.

TS Sports is the largest sportsbook in New York, featuring dozens of large-screen TVs, seven VIP “fan caves,” stadium recliners, and room for 200+ visitors.

Sticks Sports Book & Grill opened in January 2020 in partnership with The Stars Group to offer sports betting, food and drinks on tap.

The book features an HD 9’x13’ video wall plus 65” TVs, odds boards, in-person betting windows, and self-serve betting kiosks.

The Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino sportsbook opened in December 2019 with a teller window and nine self-serve kiosks.

Seneca Buffalo Creek also offers a mobile bet builder that fans can use to build wagers ahead of time for faster service at the betting window.

Sportsbook 360 opened for business in September 2019 in a space comprising 6,000 square feet, dozens of 75” HD TVs surrounding the center bar, and a 9’x16’ main viewing screen.

The property also hosts 14 self-serve betting kiosks.

The Seneca Allegany sportsbook held its ribbon-cutting ceremony in December 2019 with betting windows, 24/7 betting kiosks, and no shortage of HD TVs.

The Seneca Niagara sportsbook opened in late 2019, beginning with a temporary sports betting area while the casino finished its permanent sportsbook.

Like all Seneca sportsbooks, the Sports Lounge provides a mobile bet builder integrated into the resort’s website so bettors can prepare their bets ahead of time for faster service at the betting window.

New York City Sports Betting

Legal sports betting is available in New York City via licensed online sportsbooks.

Anyone living in New York City can get started by downloading any of the betting apps recommended on this page to create an account, make a deposit, and begin placing wagers.

For two years after the state legalized retail sports betting, New York City residents had to either drive to an upstate casino or cross into New Jersey to place online wagers.

New York City sportsbooks didn’t materialize due to prior legislation exclusively authorizing sports betting at upstate commercial casinos and tribal properties.

The legalization of online sports betting allows New Yorkers 21 or older, convenient access to legal sports betting apps.

For fans who want to get the in-person gameday experience, the closest retail sportsbooks are:

  • FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ
  • The sportsbook at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello

New York Sports Betting Law

New York legalized retail sportsbooks at casinos in 2019 without passing new legislation.

Voters approved a referendum in 2013 permitting New York’s four upstate commercial casinos to offer sports betting, pending a change in federal law.

The Supreme Court took care of that in 2018 with its landmark ruling against PASPA.

After the Supreme Court ruling, the Commission issued regulations in June 2019, and the first sportsbooks opened the following month.

Tribal casinos also gained the authority to open retail sportsbooks due to gaming compacts that allow them to offer the same types of gambling as commercial casinos.

Online sportsbooks came to New York through a budget bill approved in 2021 and signed into law by Governor Cuomo.

The NY online sports betting law is vaguely worded, but the key points follow:

  • It directed the NY Gaming Commission to select two mobile sports betting platform providers after receiving bids from interested parties
  • Each platform provider operates at least two standalone sportsbook apps
  • The state expects to receive at least 50% of each platform’s revenue
  • New York may approve additional platforms and skins if doing so is “in the best interests of the state”

Additional regulations (pg. 21) fill in some of the details, covering issues such as equipment standards, anti-money laundering (AML) rules, and financial record-keeping.

In short, New York sports betting law holds operators to high standards of conduct.

After New York legalized online sports betting, the Gaming Commission requested proposals from operators interested in acting as one of the state’s two authorized platform providers.

Several name-brand operators submitted standalone or joint bids, and the Gaming Commission selected two.

Each platform provider manages several skins, ultimately giving New York bettors their choice of nine mobile sportsbooks.

Roughly one year after the New York online sports betting industry launched, State Senator Joe Addabbo introduced SB 1962 to authorize additional licenses and reduce the tax burden on operators:

  • Increase the maximum number of NY sports betting licenses from nine to fourteen by January 1st, 2024
  • Increase the cap to sixteen licenses by January 1st, 2025
  • Reduce the New York sports betting tax from 51% to 35% if there are fourteen licensed operators
  • Further reduce the tax rate to 25% if there are at least fifteen operators
  • Allow online sportsbooks to deduct promotional expenses from taxable income

In a justification comment attached to the bill, Senator Addabbo explained:

“While there has been an exciting start to mobile sports wagering in New. York, there is still room for improvement. This legislation would clarify and update the laws governing the current operations and would direct the Gaming Commission to issue additional mobile sports wagering licenses so that we can continue to grow and improve the market.”

In November 2021, State Senator Joseph Addabbo filed additional legislation to further expand New York sports betting.

The proposal sought to authorize self-serve betting kiosks at certain locations, including professional sports venues, licensed race tracks, off-track betting corporations, and other franchised corporations.

If approved, the bill would have also authorized licensed online sportsbooks in New York to offer fixed-odds horse racing betting.

Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow introduced similar legislation the following month.

Bill S 7536 made further progress in February 2022 after passing the Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee by a 7-0 vote.

The unanimous vote sent the bill to the Senate Finance Committee where it stalled out.

Addabbo took up the issue again in 2023 by introducing S 2343 to legalize self-serve betting kiosks at off-track betting facilities, professional sports venues, auto racing tracks, and horse racing tracks.

In addition, S 2343 would authorize licensed online sportsbooks to offer fixed-odds horse racing betting.

New York’s legalization of online sports betting is the culmination of years’ worth of effort.

In 2018, State Senator John Bonacic introduced a bill seeking to legalize sports betting in New York.

Senate Bill 7900 sought to legalize sports betting at state casinos on the condition that federal law changes to allow states such as New York to regulate sports wagers

The bill would have permitted sportsbook apps and websites, authorized the Gaming Commission to establish regulations, and called for a tax rate of 8.5%.

The leagues had requested that New York include a 1% integrity fee in the bill. However, local casinos came out strongly against the integrity fee because it is applied to total betting handle and is practically as expensive as taxing net income 20% or more.

Lawmakers struck a compromise and included a 0.25% integrity fee.

In a press release announcing the introduction of the bill, Bonacic said this:

“New York State has historically been behind the curve in dealing with developments in the gaming world, and it has been to our detriment. If allowed, sports betting will be a revenue enhancer for education in New York. We have the chance to ensure our sports betting statute is fully developed and addresses the needs of the state and all stakeholders so we can hit the ground running if and when we can authorize and regulate sports betting.”

That bill did not make it through the process before the end of the 2018 legislative session.

At the time, Governor Cuomo opposed mobile sports betting, insisting it would require a constitutional amendment.

With Governor Cuomo and anti-gambling lawmakers presenting a serious challenge, pro-gaming lawmakers attempted in early 2019 to include online betting in the state’s budget bill.

Governor Cuomo spoke fondly of sports betting at the time, but it turned out his support of legal betting extended only to retail sportsbooks, and he declined to include the provision in the budget bill.

Lawmakers discussed taking up the issue again in 2020 but could not reach a consensus on legal sports betting before the end of the legislative deadline.

As 2021 came around, with coronavirus-related casino closures harming state revenue, New York City facing budget shortfalls, and neighboring states generating significant sports betting revenue, Governor Cuomo began signaling a change of heart.

Once again, New York took up the issue.

Just as it seemed another legislative session would conclude without progress, lawmakers reached a consensus for legal online sports betting. They included a provision in the state budget, this time with Governor Cuomo on board.

The Gaming Commission approved additional regulations later in 2021, and the first online sportsbooks launched in the opening days of 2022.

New York Daily Fantasy Sports

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New York legalized daily fantasy sports and introduced a regulatory framework for operators in 2016.

However, legal challenges to New York’s fantasy sports nearly railroaded the industry, but an appeals court decision issued in 2022 finally granted DFS operators legal certainty.

Today, New York is home to multiple daily fantasy sports sites regulated by the state gaming commission and bound by state law to treat customers fairly.

Sports fans can read more and see BettingUSA’s recommended New York fantasy sports sites below:

New York Horse Racing Betting

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Horse racing betting is widespread and readily available across New York.

Fans can bet trackside at any of the state’s 11 race tracks, more than 150 off-track betting parlors, or online through horse racing betting sites that are authorized to accept wagers from New Yorkers:

New York Online Gambling

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Online casinos and poker sites in New York are not yet legal, although Sweepstakes gambling sites offer a close alternative.

The resounding success of the New York online sports betting market has caught the attention of lawmakers. They are well aware of the revenue New York online casinos could generate for the state if legalized, regulated, and taxed.

Read more about the New York online gambling market here:

New York Online Poker

In January 2023, assemblyman Gary Pretlow introduced A1380 to legalize online poker in New York by defining it as a game of skill.

In addition, Pretlow’s bill would have tasked the New York State Gaming Commission with overseeing online poker sites and issuing additional consumer protection, licensing, and tax-related regulations.

The bill would have also allowed existing casinos and other qualified gaming entities to apply for licenses, established a $10 million licensing fee, and enacted a 15% tax on online poker revenue.

Pretlow has introduced versions of his online poker bill since 2013 without success.

However, New York lawmakers may be more amenable to considering an online poker bill now that they’ve legalized online sports betting.

Senator Bonacic introduced bill S6913 (full text) in March 2014 to legalize online poker sites.

The stated purpose of the bill was to “authorize the New York State Gaming Commission to license certain entities to offer for play to the public certain variants of internet poker which require a significant degree of skill, specifically ‘Omaha Hold’em’ and ‘Texas Hold’em.’”

In short, the bill sought to legalize online poker and issue licenses to up to 10 operators in the state of New York.

Each license would cost $10,000,000 upfront and be in effect for ten years and operators would be subject to a 15% tax rate.

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Pretlow has introduced online poker legislation at every opportunity since 2013:

The odds that lawmakers will reach an agreement on online poker remain uncertain. New Yorkers are receptive to gambling, given their approval of multiple measures to expand land-based gambling and sports betting.

However, the challenges that lawmakers face do not come from the public, crafting legislation that satisfies key New York lawmakers is where the challenge lies.

Senator Joseph Addabbo and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow chair important gaming committees, and both support legalizing online gambling sites.

However, New York’s governor hasn’t yet signaled any interest in expanding New York’s legal online gambling options.

New York Online Lottery

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Players can buy New York Lottery tickets online via registered courier services. New York is one of the only states in the nation that explicitly permits lottery courier apps and requires them to register with the state before serving customers.

Read more:

Responsible Gambling In New York

New York law requires all sports betting and gambling operators to promote responsible gambling.

For example, New York’s online sports betting regulations require operators to:

  • Prominently link to a responsible gambling page from their mobile apps and websites
  • Maintain responsible gambling pages that describe each operator’s responsible gambling policy, information about the risks associated with gambling, the availability of self-imposed limits and voluntary exclusion, link to a responsible gambling page maintained by the NY Office of Addiction Services and Supports
  • Maintain a problem gambling plan approved by the NYS Gaming Commission
  • Have procedures for identifying and assisting users who display signs of problem gambling
  • Have procedures for preventing minors and self-excluded individuals from betting on sports
  • Comply with all other general responsible gambling regulations imposed on licensed casinos

Additional legislation approved in 2024 requires New York sports betting sites to ensure all advertisements include a link to a gambling hotline number, include information about the potential harmful effects of gambling, and information about how to self-exclude from gambling.

Bettors can visit this page to self-exclude from sports betting and all other forms of gambling available in New York for periods of one year, three years, five years, or a lifetime.

Anyone with questions or concerns about problem gambling in New York can call 1-877-8-HOPENY (467369) 24/7 or visit these websites for more information and resources:

New York Sports Betting FAQ

Yes. New York online sports betting became legal in 2021 after lawmakers finally reached a compromise on how the state should regulate the industry. All New York sportsbooks must hold sports betting licenses, conform to consumer protection regulations, and promote responsible gambling practices.

Yes. FanDuel Sportsbook was one of nine operators selected by the New York Gaming Commission to offer online sports betting in New York. It launched mobile sports betting operations on January 8th, 2022, as part of the first wave of online sportsbooks.

Yes. New York regulators have authorized DraftKings to offer online sports betting. DraftKings was one of the first four operators to market, launching in early January 2022.

All NY betting apps recommended on this page are legal and licensed. Additionally, bettors can verify which sportsbooks hold online betting licenses by viewing this list of approved operators published by the New York State Gaming Commission.

No, but there are retail sportsbooks nearby plus sports betting apps within reach of every New Yorker.

The closest retail sportsbook is FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, adjacent to MetLife Stadium.

The minimum sports betting age in New York is 21.

Yes, but New York online betting sites are subject to three restrictions:

  • Sportsbooks may not accept wagers on games involving NY colleges
  • Sportsbooks may not accept wagers on college games that take place in New York
  • Sportsbooks may not accept wagers on individual college athletes

Most of New York’s neighboring states permit online sports betting, but bettors may have to register new accounts to bet online from other states, even when using the same app.

This isn’t always the case, as many of the bigger apps like FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook offer a unified platform. Once a user creates a login, their credentials and balance will carry over from state to state.

New Yorkers who travel to states without legal online sports betting may log in, make deposits, request withdrawals, and view the lines, but they may not place wagers while out of state.

The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) regulates sports betting, and its primary duties include approving necessary regulations, issuing licenses, and monitoring licensees for compliance with all rules.