New York now has legal online sports betting. In fact, both online and retail sports betting are available in the Empire State.
For those who have been following sports betting, New York’s journey to offer both online and retail betting has been a long time coming. Retail betting has been underway since 2019, but online betting got started in January 2022. Since then, six sportsbooks have launched NY sports betting apps, with three more awaiting approval from the New York Gaming Commission. PointsBet Sportsbook is the most recent to launch in the state, arriving on Jan. 25.
Here’s a rundown on everything happening in New York sports betting.
Best online sportsbook apps in New York
Is sports betting legal in NY?
Yes. Both online and retail sports betting are legal in New York. Retail sports betting has been underway in the Empire State since 2019 at the four commercial casinos and several tribal facilities in the state. As of early 2022, online sports betting is active in New York, too.
9 New York sports betting sites
Because online sports betting is so new to New York, it is still in the process of spinning up. Five NY sports betting apps have launched. Four more are coming soon. So, here are all the different options that you have and will have in New York betting on your mobile device or laptop.
Caesars Sportsbook
There’s no question that Caesars Sportsbook is one of the largest sportsbooks in the world. Parent company Caesars Entertainment was already one of the biggest gaming companies before it acquired sports betting giant William Hill in 2020. With so much experience under one roof, it’s hard to find a bet that Caesars cannot book. New York bettors can also acquire points within the Caesars Rewards program for their play, which can be redeemed at Caesars locations around the world.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook is the expanded version of the DFS provider of the same name. FanDuel distinguishes itself through a very simple element — its navigability. Most apps are not as simple and straightforward to use as the FanDuel Sportsbook app. FanDuel is also one of the only sportsbooks to offer single-game parlays for bettors, where it is possible to build a multi-legged wager through a lone sporting event.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Sportsbook has launched in New York on Jan. 17, 2022. BetMGM is the brand for gambling giant MGM Resorts International, and you can earn valuable points through the MGM rewards program, MLife, for your play. BetMGM Sportsbook offers more flexibility on open wagers than any other app through its Edit My Bet feature. If you often have second thoughts about your open wagers, BetMGM is the place for you.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers Sportsbook is probably the closest thing to a hometown sportsbook app that New Yorkers can call their own, as its parent company, Rush Street Interactive, is concentrated in the northeastern portion of the country. BetRivers is notable for its social aspect, where big winners find their wins celebrated across a feed in the main lobby of the app. BetRivers also offers a loyalty program, iRush Rewards, which can augment your bank account or put you in line for perks at Rivers casinos throughout the region.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the top sportsbook operators in the country. Its app is one of the more innovative approaches to sports betting that you’re going to find. For one thing, DraftKings is responsible for introducing the Cash Out option to the US, which allows players to collect profits before the end of the game they’ve bet. DraftKings also offers a feature called the betting carousel, which presents each player with a series of recommended wagers every time they log into their account. The recommendations stem from both the bettor’s wagering history and the bettor’s stated preferences.
PointsBet Sportsbook
The Australian app began its US online sports betting debut in 2018 and has since garnered a strong and loyal following in multiple legal states. New Yorkers have an easy-to-use app that features a unique form of sports betting called PointsBetting. Promos and bonuses are a common feature on this NY sports betting site, too. While it doesn’t have the clout of the bigger sites like DraftKings and Caesars, or any New York casino connection for that matter, it is a reliable app.
Other apps coming soon
In addition to the five apps mentioned above, there are four other apps that should make their debuts in New York in the near future. All of them are representatives of major gaming companies and are extremely trustworthy. As important as New York is for each of their bottom lines, you can count on getting a top-notch experience when the following apps launch:
- Bally Bet NY
- Resorts World
- WynnBet
How to start betting online in NY
The account creation process can be handled online or via the mobile app of approved operators. You won’t have to go to a casino to complete registration. As you go through the registration process, you’ll be asked to provide information such as:
- Name
- Address
- Email address
- Date of birth
- Last four digits of social
In order to legally bet on sports in NY, users need to be 21 years of age or older. As part of the account confirmation, you must verify that all provided information is correct. If the operator has any trouble confirming your age or identity, supporting documentation will be required.
You don’t have to be a state resident to wager with NY-based sites, but you need to be located within state lines to do so. To confirm that you are, sportsbooks use what’s known as geolocation tracking, a piece of software that runs unobtrusively in the background.
It only tracks for the purposes of placing bets. If you’re not in NY, your wagers won’t go through, but you can manage your account outside of state lines. After your account is all set, you can bet on the go, fund your account, and scope out the latest odds and lines at your own convenience without having to visit a retail sportsbook to do so.
Bonuses and promotions at NY sports betting apps
Since New York has only had retail sports betting until recently, you might be unaware of one of the biggest differences between betting in person and doing so online: BONUSES.
Each one comes with its own appeal, but all of them give you the option of padding your bottom line — provided that you’re willing to keep playing. They are usually awarded either as site credits or bonus bet vouchers. Here are the most common types of bonuses and promotions on New York sportsbooks:
- No Deposit – A no deposit bonus puts site credits or bonus bets into your account without any financial commitment on your part. Usually, they are compensation for new players who register for an account. Only a few sportsbook apps will commonly offer bonus bets or site credits on a sitewide basis. They offer a way to “test drive” the app without incurring any risk.
- Deposit – Deposit bonuses call for the sportsbook to match a portion of a deposit amount as extra site credits. The exact percentage and limit to the bonus depends on each offer, but typically, you can get a match of 20% — 100% of a deposit up to a few hundred dollars. These bonuses are usually more generous for first-time depositors.
- Refunds – Losing is an unavoidable part of sports betting. Even professional sports bettors are successful no more than 60% of the time. So, a refund bonus helps to ease the sting of losses over a certain period of time. Like deposit bonuses, the refund will be a percentage of the loss amount up to a certain dollar value. For obvious reasons, these are sometimes called “insurance” bonuses.
- Loyalty Program – Loyalty programs are the only type of bonus common in both retail and online settings. Players can join the program and earn points for every dollar they wager. The amount of points varies from program to program, but they usually can be redeemed for site credits, bonus bets, branded swag, or perks at physical locations associated with the sportsbook app.
- Odds Boosts – Odds boosts artificially inflate the potential payout on selected bets by a certain amount. A typical boost is usually no more than 30% of the original payout offer, so it’s not going to result in a life-changing event if it comes through. In fact, these are usually wagers that the sportsbook is trying to encourage people to bet. However, if you were already planning to bet this wager or a similar one, it can be a nice way to sweeten the pot.
One thing to bear in mind about bonuses is that they often come with a playthrough requirement. You might be compelled to wager a dollar amount equal to several multiples of your bonus money amount before the site credits convert into actual cash. Make sure to read through the terms and conditions of any offer before you agree to it.
Bonuses also come with time limits most of the time. Any unredeemed portion of the offer reverts back to the sportsbook after that point. So, if you have any concerns about your ability to play through a significant portion of the offer, it might be better not to take it.
Sports betting partnerships in NY
In the new age of legal sports betting in the US, operators do all that they can to stand out in available markets. Traditional advertising helps, as does great bonus and sign-up offers for new players. Recently, there has been a growing trend of sportsbook operators going the extra mile and linking up with local teams. In NY, we’ve seen the following to date.
- Seneca Nation – Buffalo Bills: Official sports betting partner.
- DraftKings – New York Giants: Official sports betting partner.
- BetMGM – New York Jets: Official gaming partnership.
- DraftKings – New York Knicks: Sports betting partner.
- FanDuel – New York Knicks: Official sports gaming partner.
- DraftKings – New York Rangers: Sports betting partner.
That’s a lot of deals in advance of the full rollout for retail and online sports betting in NY, and it’s safe to assume that there will be more to come. The New York Mets, New York Yankees, New York Islanders, and Brooklyn Nets have yet to sign deals, but we’ll see if there’s any movement once approved operators are officially announced.
Futures and prop betting
Once online and mobile sports betting is live in NY, users will have plenty of options to explore for each game and event on the docket. Pregame bets such as moneyline betting, spread, and totals are huge drivers of revenue at sportsbooks, but also far from the only way to get in on the fun.
Futures and props also generate more than their fair share of action. A futures bet is a wager on an outcome that won’t be determined for months down the road. Popular markets include the winner of league championships.
- NFL Super Bowl
- NBA Finals
- MLB World Series
- NHL Stanley Cup
- NCAAF College Football Playoffs
- NCAAB March Madness
There’s also a large market for things like the winners of Golf’s Majors (Masters, etc.), Tennis Grand Slams (Wimbledon, etc.), and the NASCAR Daytona 500. Other popular futures include division and conference winners, team regular season win totals, and players that will take down the major individual awards.
Odds for the top futures come out early in the offseason, while others will trickle in as opening day approaches. In all cases, there will be movement in the numbers as betting action comes in. You can shop around at multiple shops to compare prices and potentially find greater returns. Futures are long-term wagers that aren’t settled until the outcome is known.
Props are most well-known as a way to get in on some side action on a game. There are props for individual player performances, team accomplishments, and things that might happen during the game or by its conclusion. On the player side, examples include:
- How many strikeouts for Jacob deGrom – Over/Under 7.5?
- Total combined yardage for Saquon Barkley – Over/Under 109.5?
- Who will have more points plus assists – Julius Randle or Kevin Durant?
You can find available props by clicking through on the game and event listings at sportsbooks. The more popular the attraction, the more props you’ll see available. Props is another area in which shopping around for available offerings and odds makes a ton of sense.
In-game betting in NY
Once upon a time, you had to have all of your wagers in before the action got underway. That’s no longer the case, thanks to the innovation known as live betting. These are wagers you can place in real time with the odds and offerings based on what’s actually happening.
Also referred to as in-play or in-game, you’ll see updated lines on the outcome, as well as many other opportunities on specific snippets of a contest or various player props. Examples of available bets you may see include:
- Which team will have more passing yards in the first half – Jets or Patriots?
- What will be the result of this Aaron Judge at-bat – Hit/Walk/Out?
- The result of the Rangers power play will be – Goal/Penalty kill?
Sportsbooks have dedicated sections for live betting, so you’ll be able to scroll through opportunities as the event plays out. Live betting has been a very popular addition to the sports betting menu and has become a featured offering at many of the industry’s top shops.
NY sports teams to bet on
Options abound on the New York sports landscape, and loyalties are divided as a result. All of the major professional leagues are represented here, and the choices expand even further when you consider the cubs that play their home games over in neighboring NJ.
- NFL Betting
- New York Giants
- New York Jets
- Buffalo Bills
- NBA Betting
- New York Knicks
- Brooklyn Nets
- MLB Betting
- New York Yankees
- New York Mets
- NHL Betting
- New York Rangers
- New York Islanders
- New Jersey Devils
- Buffalo Sabres
- MLS Betting
- New York Red Bulls
- New York City FC
- WNBA Betting
- New York Liberty
Odds and lines for all of the above will be easily accessible at online and mobile sportsbooks. You can place pregame bets such as moneyline, spreads, and totals, as well as props and futures. Once the games get underway, you’ll be able to dive in with live betting.
The menu of options doesn’t end with the pro sports. You can also bet on NCAAF and NCAAB college games with one notable restriction: wagering on in-state collegiate teams is prohibited. There are also a wide range of other sports to wager on, including PGA, Tennis, UFC, NASCAR, and a whole host of others. In short, you won’t be lacking for options.
What’s legal and illegal to bet on in NY
When it comes to what you can and can’t wager on, there’s a lot of uniformity across the industry, but also some state-specific restrictions. Here are some of the key items in NY.
- Betting on college sports is allowed, but wagering on in-state teams is prohibited.
- No betting on high school sports.
- Wagering is restricted to actual athletic competitions, so no wagering on elections, entertainment (Oscars), etc.
- Those with ties to a sport in a professional capacity are prohibited from wagering on those competitions.
Overall, the rules for legal sports betting are pretty standard in NY. While no betting on in-state collegiate teams is a slight letdown, there are plenty of other NCAAF and NCAAB contests to choose from to fill the void.
Where to bet on sports in NY
Even though online sports betting has come to New York, there are still plenty of live options for bettors who want to experience wagering in the flesh. After all, there is something to be said for the visceral aspect of sitting in those comfortable chairs and gazing up at the giant television screens for several hours. So, here are all the places that you can make a sports wager in New York:
Casino | Sportsbook Name | Location | Sports Betting Partner |
---|---|---|---|
Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort | Sticks Sports Book and Grill | Hogansburg | Fox Bet |
Del Lago Resort & Casino | DraftKings Sportsbook | Waterloo | DraftKings |
Point Place Casino | The Lounge with Caesars Sportsbook | Bridgeport | Caesars |
Resorts World Catskills | Sportsbook 360 | Monticello | IGT |
Rivers Schenectady | BetRivers Sportsbook | Schenectady | Boom |
Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino | Sportsbook at Seneca Allegany | Salamanca | Kambi |
Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino | Sportsbook at Seneca Buffalo Creek | Buffalo | Kambi |
Seneca Niagara Casino | Sportsbook at Seneca Niagara | Niagara Falls | Kambi |
Tioga Downs Casino Resort | FanDuel Sportsbook at Tioga Downs | Nichols | FanDuel |
Turning Stone Resort & Casino | The Lounge with Caesars Sportsbook | Verona | Caesars |
Yellow Brick Road Casino | The Lounge with Caesars Sportsbook | Chittenango | Caesars |
NY SPORTS BETTING FAQ
Yes. Online sports betting, online horse betting, and daily fantasy sports are all available to of-age players in New York.
To bet on sports in NY, customers must be 21 years of age.
No. Betting sites like Bovada and MyBookie are known as “grey market” sites. In other words, they exist in a sort of legal limbo where it isn’t specifically illegal, but it isn’t specifically legal, either. Players are advised to use extreme caution on any site like Bovada, as they (the sites) are not subject to the US justice system and may not leave players with much recourse in the case of disputes.
No. Every New Jersey online casino and sportsbook employs geolocation software that will screen out any activity from out of state. Even someone standing on the New York side of the George Washington Bridge will be unable to play a New Jersey site. Designated legal New York sportsbooks must be used while in New York.
Yes. You may use DraftKings for both DFS and sports betting in New York. However, DraftKings online casino games remain illegal in the Empire State.
Yes. FanDuel is legal in New York for DFS and sports betting. FanDuel Online Casino is not legal in New York at this time.