New York Sports Betting

new york sports betting

New York has over 20m residents and is home to some of the biggest sports franchises in the world; you would therefore think that sports betting would be a natural part of the culture of any New Yorker of the Empire State. Think of New York, and you no doubt think of the Big Apple and the many cultural exploits on offer here. However, the state also has an amazing sporting tradition, which has given rise to a great market for sports betting.

The main reason that casino and gambling revenue is tiny in comparison to neighboring states New Jersey and Pennsylvania, is that despite New York being one of the first to permit sportsbook betting at land based casinos and retail sports betting locations, there are restrictions on in-state collegiate betting, there are plenty of opportunities arising for those who are interested in what sports betting here has to offer.

Sports betting has been available online since January 2022, and several big brands have already launched apps. With plenty of casinos and racetracks located upstate offering the perfect venue for retail betting and launchpad for mobile apps, this is one market that is only set to grow in the future.

Best New York Sportsbook

Our expert team has reviewed the best online sportsbook and mobile betting apps for any New Yorker wanting to place bets on their favorite sports. Here is a list of our recommendations.

Caesars Sportsbook New York

Caesars Entertainment has a rich history in the entertainment and casino industries but only a brief experience in sports betting. However, the company’s acquisition of William Hill in April 2021 gave it a seat at the top of the food chain. Caesars Sports is well-regarded, and it provides markets with a diverse selection of sporting events and competitions.

In addition to its online sportsbook, Caesars NY maintains three retail sportsbook sites in New York. Casinos in Chittenango include the Yellow Brick Road Casino, the Point Place Casino in Bridgeport, and the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, which accept sports wagers.

BetMGM NY

BetMGM was formed in 2018 due to a collaboration between MGM and big UK betting operator GVC Holdings, known as Entain. Its combined competence in entertainment and gambling allowed it to swiftly establish a significant footing in the rapidly expanding sports betting sector in the United States.

BetMGM has set up shop in New York, and they’ve taken their great risk free bet with them to share with their customers. As one of the most well-known and respected names in the sports betting industry, BetMGM provides a fantastic betting app that includes everything you’ll need to make your wagering experience as smooth as possible.

DraftKings New York

DraftKings Sportsbook, like FanDuel, got its fame as a supplier of daily fantasy sports contests. It moved quickly to operate its sportsbook activities immediately after the United States Supreme Court overturned PASPA. This well-versed and competent operator provides an excellent customer service experience.

DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the largest online betting platforms globally and one of the most prominent players in the online sports betting industry.

Any New Yorker over the age of 21 can also place wagers with DraftKings Sportsbook NY at their Del Lago Resort & Casino retail site in Waterloo, New York if they prefer to do so in person.

BetRivers New York

BetRivers is the sportsbook division of Rush Street Interactive, a company that first gained prominence in the casino and online gambling industries. Because of the high quality of its software and app, its sports betting site has received several positive evaluations, and New York sports bettors can look forward to a fantastic sports betting experience.

In November 2021, BetMGM announced the formation of an official sports betting agreement with Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks, and the New York Rangers. Adding BetMGM New York to the New York online sports betting industry is a fantastic move.

FanDuel New York

FanDuel sportsbook is a major player in the sports betting industry in the United States, and it is headquartered in Las Vegas. It started as a Daily Fantasy Sports operator, but when PASPA was ruled down by the US Supreme Court in 2018, it expanded to include a sportsbook due to the ruling. The FanDuel sports betting website is well-known for its outstanding app and its generous sign-up bonus.

Fans in New York can place bets with FanDuel in person at the Tioga Downs Casino Resort in Nichols, New York, where the company’s retail sportsbook is situated. FanDuel, on the other hand, offers unparalleled ease in the form of online and mobile betting, and few sportsbooks do it better than FanDuel.

PointsBet New York

With its headquarters in Australia, PointsBet is a renowned sportsbook that was one of the first nine betting firms to gain a New York state license to conduct online sports wagering.

Since opening in New Jersey in January 2019, Australian sports betting company PointsBet has made significant strides in establishing itself in the United States sports betting market. It appears that it will be granted a New York gambling license, and it will provide a diverse range of markets and a user-friendly experience for New York betting enthusiasts.

By using their top-notch mobile app, which is both slick and trustworthy, PointsBet New York will become a standard in the Empire State’s sports betting industry.

WynnBet New York

WynnBET was a late entrant into a US sportsbook sector re-energized by the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. However, since its emergence on the scene in late 2020, it has made up for lost time and has beyond expectations. Clients from New York who are interested in sports betting will discover a user-friendly interface and many markets to choose from.

Bally Bet New York

In late 2020, the Bally’s Corporation, which had previously established itself as a casino operator, made its foray into the sports betting industry by acquiring Bet.Works for $125 million. Having taken use of the immense strength of the Bally’s brand, it has grown quickly since then, and its app is extremely user-friendly.

Legal Online New York Sports Betting

Legal mobile New York Sports betting is currently available through eight of the biggest iGaming brands currently active in the USA. They are Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetRivers, PointsBet, BetMGM, Resorts WorldBet, and WynnBet. Bally Bet is also expected to launch later in 2022. These are some of the most trustworthy names in the casino industry, and they have a massive presence in other states already.

Though the mobile sports betting market in New York is still fairly new, the rush of companies looking to start up operations here is a key indicator of the market’s health overall. Taxation in the Empire State is also markedly higher than in other states, standing at 51% of the gross gaming revenue earned by sportsbooks. Despite this, the sportsbook market in New York continues to grow.

To place bets through a New York sports betting app, you must be located inside the state. These apps use geofencing technologies to ensure that customers are inside state boundaries where betting can legally occur. If you were to head outside state borders – even to a state like New Jersey, where you can also bet legally on sports – your app for New York would not work. Bettors also need to be aged over 21 to place bets. There is no requirement for in-person registration, so you should be able to sign up from anywhere within the state without visiting a retail sportsbook.

Betting is available for a wide range of professional sports. However, the rules are stricter when placing a bet on college sports. While you can legally place bets on some college games, player props are banned. You are also limited in choosing college teams you can place bets on. New Yorkers cannot place bets on college teams based within the state – even if they are playing a game away in another city. The world of collegiate sports is vast, and there are plenty of other options you could choose from – you simply can’t pick the New York teams.

How To Pick A New York Sports Betting Site

With eight New York sports betting apps already available on the market and plenty more on the way, there is no limit to the choices available to those in the Empire State. The apps mentioned above are all fully licensed in the state of New York, and they should be the first places considered when looking for somewhere to bet.

When choosing an app or site to bet at within the state, ensure that they are licensed by the NYS Gaming Commission. They are the regulator tasked with looking at all iGaming within the state, and they are the ones who issue licenses to those operating sports betting. Not all those who offer retail sports betting in New York also have mobile sports betting licenses.

Ready to choose one of the apps precisely? Your decision might ultimately be influenced by factors such as the promotions on offer at one of the apps or the odds they offer. A bettor must consider what they precisely want from their New York sports betting app so that they can find a

History / Timeline Of Sports Betting in New York

The timeline of New York sports betting is extremely interesting. Back in 2013, New York state voters voted in favor of a gaming package that would allow the construction of four commercial casinos upstate. In doing so, they also opened questions about the legality of sports betting.

However, nothing would be able to be introduced thanks to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992. This outlawed the introduction of sports betting except for four states – Nevada, where sports betting was already legal and thriving, and Delaware, Montana, and Oregon, which all offered sports lotteries. With PASPA still in place, New Yorkers could discuss the introduction of legal sports betting, but they would not be able to get anything underway.

In 2018, things changed. PASPA was brought before the Supreme Court following a challenge from New Jersey and other states. It was deemed to be unconstitutional and was therefore overturned. States like New Jersey and Pennsylvania rushed to ensure that they could launch mobile legal sports betting, but this was not the case in the Empire State. Though retail betting was introduced and launched in 2019, it seemed like online New York sports betting would be off the cards for a while.

Bills were introduced throughout 2018 and the following years but never seemed to make it anywhere with the state government. However, then-Governor Andrew Cuomo introduced the legalization of online sports betting as part of the 2021 state budget. It was signed off on, and apps were then launched in time for the 2022 Super Bowl.

New York Sports Teams

In a populous state like New York, you will find some amazing sports teams. Whether they are in the city itself or located upstate, New Yorkers love their sport, which has resulted in some of the best sporting franchises out there playing out of this state. All five of the major franchises of American sports are represented by teams here.

The Buffalo Bills from Buffalo are in upstate New York for the NFL. They have a loyal fanbase, and their performance is scattered with appearances in the playoffs. However, together with the Minnesota Vikings, their number of championships won puts them the most to have claimed this title without winning a Super Bowl.

The two teams of New York City, the New York Giants and the New York Jets, both play for the city but the stadium they play out of – the MetLife Stadium – is technically in New Jersey. We’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not these two teams can still qualify as being part of New York’s sports teams – some might think they are, and some might say that this move has made them into New Jersey teams even if they still belong to the city of New York.

New York City FC has competed in the MLS since 2015 and is the current MLS Cup champions. Though soccer does not have the same presence in the USA as in other countries, it is slowly growing in popularity. New Your City regularly commands an audience of loyal fans, and their support is a key indicator of the game’s growth overall.

There are three NHL teams located around the state – the Buffalo Sabres, the New York Islanders, and the New York Rangers. The Rangers and the Islanders have taken home the Stanley Cup four times. The Sabers have yet to claim the Cup, reaching the finals twice. Despite this, all of the teams have a loyal following.

The NBA is represented by the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks. The Knicks are one of the two NBA teams still located in their original city – the other being the Boston Celtics. The Knicks have also twice won the Championship title, while the Nets have not, despite making it to the playoffs on several occasions.

Last but certainly not least, we have the teams of the MLB – the New York Mets and the New York Yankees. They are arguably the two most well-known teams in the city of New York if not the state as a whole. Even if someone is not a sports fan, they will have likely heard of the Mets and the Yankees. Between them, they have won the World Series several times. There are also many minor league baseball teams, each with its legion of supporters.

Retail Sports Betting in New York

There are currently eight retail sportsbooks throughout the state, so if you prefer in person wagering to mobile sports wagering, you have plenty of options. These are operated by some of the biggest operators in the industry. DraftKings and FanDuel, two of the biggest companies in New York sports betting and the wider industry across the states, have retail sportsbooks at the del Lago Casino Resort and Tioga Downs respectively. The BetRivers Sportsbook can be found at the Rivers Casino in Schenectady, while Sportsbook 360 is at the Resorts World Catskills and PlaySports by IGT is at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino.

Caesars currently has the biggest representation in the market, with three sportsbooks across Point Place Casino, the Yellow Brick Road Casino, and the Turning Stone Resort & Casino. They have also just agreed to a multi-year partnership with the New York Mets that will allow them to open a sportsbook at the Mets’ Citi Field. They will also become the official sports betting partner of the team.

With so many iconic and popular teams within the state of New York, this type of partnership might be one that we see more of in the future. This is something that New York sports betting might benefit from as it is an arrangement that works well in other states like neighboring Pennsylvania.

Legislators are also looking into allowing additional licenses within New York state. If they do so, it would potentially allow more retail sportsbooks to arrive in the state, including more within New York City, rather than just limiting them to the upstate casino resorts.

Tribal Casinos

Several Native American tribes own and operate casinos and resort complexes within New York state. Through some of these, they can offer sports betting with retail sportsbooks. The tribes are the Cayuga Nation, the Oneida Nation of New York, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, New York, the Seneca Nation of New York, and the Shinnecock Indian Nation.

The Seneca Nation of New York, the Oneida Nation of New York, and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe have Class III gaming compacts, allowing them to offer Vegas-style gaming. This includes sports betting, with some of these tribes also operating sportsbooks in conjunction with major retail brands.

The Oneida Nation of New York owns the three casinos where the Caesars’ sportsbooks are located, while the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe owns the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort PlaySports by IGT sportsbook is located.

Should New York sports betting be expanded and new sports betting licenses be granted, it is likely that we might see these tribal casinos apply for them and launch new sportsbooks of their own. With the ability to now operates retail and mobile sportsbooks, tribal casinos with the Class III compact can build out their operations to offer a complete casino and resort experience.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily fantasy sports have been legal in the Empire State since 2016. As these grew in popularity across the states, many legislators decided to take the measure of fully legalizing them. Before, they existed in a legal gray area where they were not strictly legal, yet also not banned.

In New York, they were made legal by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo. Daily fantasy sports became legal with his signing as they were thought to be games of skill rather than luck. This was maybe not the most popular of decisions at first, with a group even coming forward with a case to try to block the law and have daily fantasy sports declared an act of gambling. However, this suit was eventually overturned by the Court of Appeal – with a statement and explanation why daily fantasy sports did not constitute gambling in the same way one might see from a New York sports betting brand.

Two of the biggest operators here are DraftKings and FanDuel. In addition to offering daily fantasy sports, they also have sports betting available through retail and mobile sports betting apps. As sports betting and daily fantasy sports grow in popularity throughout New York and beyond, this is a model that we might see more companies adopting.

Offshore Sports Betting

Before online New York sports betting launched, many players might have decided to look into what offshore sports betting could have offered them. However, with plenty of options for apps now available to them, there is no need to.

If you decide to look for an offshore app, ensure that it is regulated by a governing body such as those in Curaçao or Costa Rica. They will be regulated and safe to use, even if they have not had a license granted by the New York Gaming Commission.

The sites that need to be avoided are unlicensed and unregulated. They cannot be considered to be safe for players at all. Their odds are often too good to be true, and they are never good choices for bettors.

With the rate at which the New York sports betting market is growing, even using safe offshore sportsbooks might not be a good option in the future. There are already some great brands available on the market, and new ones are poising to launch soon. With a healthy and open market available both through retail locations and online, there is no reason why a bettor in the Empire State would want to go anywhere but the licensed partners of the state.

Caesars’ move into the Mets is also an indicator of things. We might, in the future, see more franchises partner directly with some of the biggest sports betting partners in the industry. The best place to go for odds will be to these partners, no matter what the offshore sports betting partners offer. Though a player might wish to look at what offshore betting can offer at the moment, it might soon be out-classed by what is available within the state itself.

New York Horse Racing & Off-Track Betting

Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing is a legal form of NY sports betting. Both thoroughbred and standardbred horse racing can be found at some of the many racetracks around the state.

The three major racetracks in the state are the Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, Queens, the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, and Belmont Park in Elmont. However, several other racetracks are located around the New York state with their table of events, though not all of these will feature some sort of sportsbook or pari-mutuel betting facility.

There are also five off-track betting sites around the state that allow simulcasts of the New York races and those further afield. If a player wishes to engage in racing in New York, there will be plenty of places where they can do so. Some of these racetracks are also attached to wider casino and gambling facilities.

Final Thoughts / Summary

New York sports betting is on the rise. Although the online market has only recently launched, it is clear that this has proven to be an incredibly popular move. We are likely to see it continue to grow, especially when you consider the number of people who live in this state and its sporting history.

Though in-state collegiate betting is not permitted, this is something that is not too much of an issue. The neighboring states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania both permit collegiate betting, so it is not too much of a stretch of the imagination to think that New Yorkers will most likely just cross the Hudson and head to one of these states if they want to bet on a New York college team. With some of these teams being in the top college football divisions, this is something that we can see many doing if the legislation banning collegiate betting is not revised.

The other interesting point still to be touched on within New York sports betting is the launch of city-based casinos and sportsbooks. The new facility at the Mets could be something that we see replicated across some of the other sporting facilities throughout the Empire State. It is a model that has worked exceptionally well in other cities – particularly in neighboring Pennsylvania. Introducing retail sports betting at some of the major New York sporting arenas would allow mobile apps from the brands to naturally follow.

This, in turn, might help to break up some of the monopolies currently held by the upstate casinos. Though the mobile apps do help in part with this, when it comes to retail betting, the only place to go at the moment is the upstate casinos. However, we might also see these facilities begin to expand a little in the future. In particular, if more sports betting licenses are released forbids, we could very well see some of the Native American tribes with Class III gaming compacts applying for these licenses.

New York sports betting is in a great position to flourish. Though it might be one of the later states in the northeastern area to get mobile sports betting up and running, there is no doubt that they will make up for lost ground quickly.

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About Joe Kizlauskas

Joe is a seasoned iGaming copywriter and speaker who has been in the business since 2015. He's written more words on all elements of Casinos, Slots, Bingo & Sports Betting than he likes to remember, and he's contributed material to a number of well-known brands. Joe may be seen playing 5 a side, at the gym or playing games on his Playstation when he is not writing.