Is Sports Betting Legal in New York?
In-person betting was legalized in 2013 by the state of New York, allowing licensed casinos to offer odds on sports. However, it took much longer for online sports betting to be approved. After a few years of regulatory roadblocks, then-Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a new bill in April 2021 that would finally allow for licensed and legal online betting in NY.
The sports betting bill also put the New York Gaming Commission (NYGC) in charge of regulating the betting industry, and in November 2021, the first nine operators were approved to launch in the state. Following the work of the NYGC, January 2022 saw legal sports betting go live for the first time.
Timeline of NY Sports Betting
- 2009 – The first attempt at a legal sports betting bill is introduced to the committee, but it fails to gain traction.
- 2013 – Following previous attempts to allow retail sports betting in licensed premises, a referendum was held to give voters a say on legal gambling. 57% of voters approve the construction of new casinos and the introduction of legal retail sports betting.
- 2016 – New bills that would allow sports betting at racetracks are introduced to the committee once more. These bills fail to pass, and meanwhile, the state orders fantasy sports to ease operations in NY.
- 2019 – In the years following, more attempts are made at passing sports betting bills to the assembly and the senate in NY. However, these attempts also failed, even with a proposed integrity fee that would be paid to the major sports leagues.
- 2021 – With NY facing a budget deficit exceeding billions of dollars, Governor Cuomo opened up to the idea of legal online betting. The sports betting bill was signed on April 19, 2021.
- January 2022 – The NYGC approves nine sports betting licenses, and the first four online sportsbooks go live on January 8. In its first 16 days, NY records a sports betting handle of $1 billion, becoming the biggest legal betting market in the US.
- March 2022 – A new sports betting bill is proposed that would increase the number of available licenses to 16 by 2024 and lower the tax rate, which is currently set at 51%, to make the market more competitive. However, the tax rate looks set to stay for now.
New York Sports Betting at a Glance
| New York retail sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| New York online sports betting legal status | Legal and live |
| New York online sports betting launch date | January 8, 2022 |
| New York sports betting regulator | New York Gaming Commission |
| Number of sportsbook licenses available | Nine online sportsbooks for now |
| Total bets placed in first month | $1.6 billion |
| Sportsbook tax rate | 51% |
Top NY Sportsbooks
For now, the New York Gaming Commission has approved nine licenses, though it is possible that the number of available licenses will be increased in the future. This means that bettors in the Empire State don’t have as many options as in some other legal betting states. However, they still have the best sites to choose from, including:
Caesars New York Sportsbook
As one of the first NY betting sites to launch and with its retail locations already available throughout the state, Caesars fast became one of the most popular options for NY bettors. There are lots of markets to choose from, and one of the best bonus offers around, as well as an excellent rewards program.
WynnBet New York Sportsbook
WynnBet is operated by the popular Wynn Casinos brand and has achieved a decent level of success in the sports betting market. The site and app is now available in NY, offering fast and simple betting with a lot of options. WynnBet also features a reward program that makes betting more fun.
PointsBet New York Sportsbook
PointsBet is an Australian betting brand that has quickly become a favorite of a lot of US bettors. NY sports fans can now sign up and make the most of its unique features and excellent layout. The Points Betting market is its best feature, allowing you to bet in a completely new way.
FanDuel New York Sportsbook
FanDuel was already one of the biggest fantasy sports platforms in the country, and since it launched in NY, it’s become one of the most popular sportsbooks too. It offers an incredibly intuitive and easy-to-use app with lots of great odds on all the biggest sporting events.
BetRivers New York Sportsbook
BetRivers has some great depth to its markets, especially when it comes to parlays. You can choose random selections on a jackpot parlay to potentially win huge prizes. There are some great bonus offers too, and the site has a great layout.
BetMGM New York Sportsbook
Research shows that BetMGM is one of the most popular options for NY bettors, and that’s thanks partly to the freedom that it offers. You can use the edit my bet feature to change your stake and choose full or partial cash out during live games.
BallyBet New York Sportsbook
BallyBet is a fun and simple sports betting app that combines great odds with social features. Unlike other sites, you can see what your friends are betting on, and BallyBet even lets you form leagues to see who the best bettor is.
Resorts World Bet New York Sportsbook
Resorts World Bet is the fastest-growing sportsbook in the country, and with its fun promos, it’s easy to see why. You can claim free bets when betting on certain markets, and the site is straightforward to use on your computer, tablet, or mobile.
DraftKings New York Sportsbook
DraftKings is perhaps the biggest and most popular sportsbook in the US, and it has a huge range of sports and markets to bet on. The app will recommend bets based on your history, and it’s really easy to sign up and start betting.
Choosing a Sportsbook in New York
With nine different sportsbooks to choose from, you’ll want to carefully consider each option before you join. Here are some of the most important criteria you should be looking at before you sign up:
Reviews
We review all licensed NY sportsbooks to help you find the best. Our review team tests each site out personally, signing up and reviewing the data to show you the best promos, odds, and lines. You can easily read through our reviews to find out which features to expect and discover the best sportsbook for you.
Bonuses
All Empire State sportsbooks feature promotions and bonus offers to make your betting experience more enjoyable. Before signing up, it’s a good idea to look at the offers available and how to claim them. Some of the most popular promotions at NY sportsbooks include:
- Risk-free bets
- Matched deposit bonuses
- Bet credits
- Loyalty rewards
- No deposit bonuses
Odds and Lines
Improved odds mean you can potentially win greater profits, and better lines give you a greater chance of success. To win consistent profits, you need to choose a sportsbook that has consistently great odds. Always compare the odds on the sports you prefer to bet on before you join.
Sports and Markets
The best sportsbooks offer a wide range of sports and markets for you to bet on. You won’t just be limited to a few options. You can bet on all kinds of events from around the world, including live games. Some of the most popular sports for betting at NY sportsbooks include:
Greater variety is better when it comes to markets too. Bigger events tend to have more options, but with most games, you can usually expect markets such as:
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Point total
- Player props
- Game props
- Futures
Usability
It should always be easy to sign up and start placing bets. Whether you’re on your mobile device or betting from a computer, NY sportsbooks should always be accessible and highly intuitive. Finding the markets you want, claiming your bonuses, and placing bets should be fast and simple.
Payments
Of course, when you’re betting real money, you need your site to process your payments as quickly and securely as possible. The best sites support a wide range of payment methods to give you more freedom over how you make deposits and withdrawals.
Customer Support
Customer support is an important aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked when choosing a sportsbook. You want your site to provide a great betting experience with minimal issues. It should be easy to contact customer support if needed, and response times should be fast. Before you join, check to see if your site offers any of the following:
- Live chat
- FAQ pages
- Social media
How to Sign Up to a New York Sportsbook
Joining a sports betting site and placing your first bet is simple. All you have to do is follow these steps:
- Choose from one of the licensed sportsbooks on this page
- Make sure you’re currently within the state of NY
- Visit the site or download the app
- Complete the sign up process by filling in your details and agreeing to the terms and conditions
- Verify your account by uploading a copy of your ID
- Make your first deposit using your preferred payment method
- Claim your cash bonus
- Choose your favorite sport or event, then pick a market to place your bet
NY Sportsbooks Deposits Explained
To place a bet, you’ll typically need to make a deposit first. Although some sites will offer no deposit bonuses, these are in the minority, and you’ll need to link your preferred payment method to add funds before you can start betting.
Here are some of the accepted payment methods at NY sportsbooks:
- Online banking
- Debit/credit cards
- Wire transfer
- ACH/eCheck
- PayPal
- Paynearme
How to Claim New York Sportsbook Promos
Bonuses are offered to encourage new users to sign up and start betting. At NY books, there are plenty of promotions waiting for you to claim. However, before you can claim, it’s always important to read through the terms and conditions. These will affect how you can use the bonus, and common terms include:
| Terms and Conditions | Example | Explanation |
| Wagering requirement/rollover | 25x | Complete the wagering to withdraw your bonus |
| Promo code | BONUS10 | Enter the promo code when making a deposit to claim your bonus |
| Minimum deposit | $20 | Deposit at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum bet | $10 | Make a bet of at least this amount to claim the bonus |
| Minimum odds | -200 | Make a bet at these odds or greater to claim the bonus |
New York Sportsbook Payouts Guide
When you have real cash available in your betting account, you’ll be able to withdraw at any time. Most sportsbooks have a minimum withdrawal, but receiving your payout is a lot like the deposit process. The main difference is that you’ll need to wait longer for your funds to arrive.
Here’s a quick guide to making withdrawals at NY betting sites:
- Choose the withdraw option from the cashier
- Select your preferred payment method
- In most cases, you can only withdraw using the same method you used to deposit
- Enter the amount you’d like to withdraw, ensuring it’s above the minimum amount
- Confirm the withdrawal and wait for your cash to arrive
Your payout time will depend on the payment method you selected. Some methods are much faster than others. Here are some estimated payout times for popular payment types:
| Payment Method | Withdrawal Time |
| Debit card | 1-5 days |
| PayPal | 30 minutes to 1 day |
| Bank transfer | 1-7 days |
Mobile Betting New York
Every sportsbook available in NY is fully accessible on mobile devices, meaning you can sign up and bet from your smartphone or tablet if you prefer. Provided you’re within state lines, you’ll be able to look up the latest odds and place bets on your favorite sports wherever you go. Most sites also offer their own apps, which you can download onto your device for easier access. You’ll be able to claim the same promos and see all the same markets while having greater convenience.
Popular New York Sports to Bet On
New York is a state packed full of sports fans, and some of the biggest and most popular sports teams in the country are based here. In fact, NY has the third-highest number of major sports teams. When you sign up to a sportsbook, you’ll be able to bet on loads of different sports and teams, including:
NFL
The NFL is hugely popular in New York, which is hardly surprising considering there are three teams based here. Although the Jets and the Giants technically play in New Jersey, they’re still officially Empire State teams. NY’s three NFL teams are the:
NBA
The NBA is almost as popular as the NFL in NY, although it depends on who you ask. The sport has grown a lot in recent years, and it was one of the first major leagues to approve legal sports betting. The busy schedule means plenty of games to bet on, and in NY, there are two main franchises:
MLB
The MLB is huge in NY, too, and offers more than two thousand games per season to bet on. In New York, you have two MLB franchises, both of which are very popular:
NHL
NHL may not be as big as the NFL or NBA, but it still has a large following in NY. It’s an exciting sport to bet on, as it can be highly unpredictable. The state currently has three franchises, which are:
College Sports
Aside from professional sports, NY sportsbooks also allow you to be on the latest action from college sports, including basketball and football. However, there is a major restriction in place that prevents you from betting on any games involving NY college teams.
Why Sign Up to Multiple NY Sportsbooks
You have a choice of nine legal sportsbooks in NY, all of which offer a different betting experience. While some people prefer to stick to just one site, you can easily sign up to all of them if you want. You gain a lot of advantages from signing up to multiple sites, including:
More Bonuses
Every sportsbook has its own welcome bonus for you to claim when you sign up. Joining just one site would limit you to a single bonus. There’s nothing stopping you from claiming each and every bonus offer, helping you get more value and hopefully make greater profits too.
The Best Lines and Odds
Odds and lines can vary a lot between sites. It’s a good idea to join multiple sportsbooks, as it lets you easily compare the odds before you bet. That way, you can be sure that you’re always taking your bet at the best possible odds and guaranteeing higher returns if you win.
Unique Features
A lot of sportsbooks will offer unique features in a bid to stand out and attract new bettors. This means you can have a completely different experience at one site compared to another. If you only ever create an account at one sportsbook, you won’t be able to make the most of these features.
NY Betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in New York?
Yes, sports betting was made legal in NY in 2013, with land-based casinos allowed to accept in-person bets. Later on, the law would be updated to include online sports betting too.
Can I bet on sports online in New York?
Yes, online sports betting is legal as of April 19, 2021. The first licensed NY sportsbooks launched on January 8, 2022, and you can sign up to a total of nine betting sites in the state. Betting with real money is now available online and on mobile.
Are there requirements for betting online in New York?
You need to be at least 21 years old to legally sign up and start placing bets at a NY sportsbook. Sites must be licensed by the New York Gaming Commission, and you need to be within the state borders when you place your bets. Licensed sportsbooks verify your ID and your location.
Are bonuses available to NY bettors?
All major sportsbooks in NY offer bonuses such as risk-free bets and matched deposit offers. You can claim these by signing up, making a deposit, and following the bonus instructions. Always check the full terms and conditions before you sign up.
Do I need to be a resident of NY to sign up and bet?
You don’t need to be a resident to legally start betting. As long as you’re within the borders of NY, you can sign up, make a deposit and place your bets. Each sportsbook uses geolocation software to check your location before you bet.
How many New York sportsbooks are there?
There are currently nine legal sportsbooks in NY, which is the limit of the current regulations. However, it’s possible that the laws will be changed in the future to allow a greater number of sports betting sites to launch in the state.
Sources
Author
Tom Edlin is a senior author and contributor to SportsbookPromo.com. He's been writing and reporting on the US sports betting industry for years and has crafted hundreds of in-depth reviews and guides.
