It might be time to replace “I heart NY” with “NY heart Sports Betting” as the official slogan of the Empire State.
The struggle to bring legal online sports betting to New York was real – but when the floodgates finally opened early in 2022, the result was greater than anyone could have imagined. Not only has the fourth most-populous state in America embraced legal sports betting, it has shattered revenue and handle records along the way.
The competition for sports betting dollars in the industry’s most prolific state is predictably fierce. And while not every mobile sports betting offering is top shelf, the majority of sportsbooks operating in New York are strong. So start spreading the news: the New York sports betting scene is thriving.
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21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly
Caesars is proving to be one of the most aggressively expanding brands in sports betting. Unfortunately, like all major U.S. sportsbooks, they are quick to limit you if you go on a tear and their odds boost promos offer low maximum bet limits.
BetMGM is one of the top-rated sportsbooks in the U.S. offering some of the best live betting odds in the industry. They’re also the largest iGaming operator across the U.S.
FanDuel reigns supreme right now as the No. 1 betting site in America. And it has largely earned that spot on the strength of superior brand recognition, an easy-to-use product, an overwhelming number of markets for North America’s most popular sports, and representation in every state in which it is permitted to offer legal sports betting.
DraftKings had a solid reputation as the leading DFS provider in the country, so the shift to legal sports betting felt natural. They offer one of the most voluminous collections of ongoing promos and odds boosts in the industry as they cater to the beginner crowd. However, their reputation has dwindled as outspoken CEO Jason Robins leads the charge of the anti-profitable bettor mentality that runs rampant amongst sportsbooks that are quick to limit winning players.
bet365 is one of the largest and most popular sportsbooks globally. With a well-received mobile app, popular same-game parlays, and a wide variety of sports leagues to bet on it’s no wonder 80 million sports bettors worldwide continue to use bet365.
Online since: 2015
PointsBet’s innovative nature shows that they don’t want to just be another book you place typical bets. Unfortunately, they are quick to limit bettors on a hot streak and limit the number of promos you’re able to take advantage of, making it necessary for you to shop at other books regularly.
With a large variety of ongoing promos and contests featuring Barstool personalities, Barstool Sportsbook is a solid option available for casual bettors.
While this book won’t wow you with its design, you won’t find many apps easier to navigate – or with the sheer volume of sports markets Betway offers. And although you'll find more generous signup offers elsewhere, Betway remains a strong global sports betting brand that deserves to be mentioned among the second-tier sportsbook options in the U.S.
Just about everyone loves free stuff, and New Yorkers are certainly no different. New York-based sportsbooks are clamoring to add new customers – and that’s great news for those of you looking to join the fray. Here are the top bonuses and signup offers available in New York:
PointsBet offers new players four risk-free bets up to $800 on each of their first four days as an account holder. If your first bet of the day loses, you will be refunded in bet credits up to $200. Their deal is of the "if you don't use it, you lose it" type, so to get the most out of this, you must be super active in your first week as a player.
Make sure to use promo code 5X100RC to claim.
Caesars Sportsbook is now offering its "Go Full Caesar this Football Season" welcome bonus for new users. For prospective bettors, your first bet is on Caesars up to $1,250. If the bet loses, you get 100% of your stake back as a bet credit
Note that $10 is the minimum wager amount accepted to qualify for this offer. All credits will be added to a user's account within 7 days. The bet credit is for one-time use within 14 days and cannot be divided across multiple wagers.
New users will also receive 1000 Caesars Rewards Tier Credits and 1000 Caesars Reward Credits®, win or lose. Tier Credits contribute to your Tier Status, which gives you more benefits and faster service.
Tier Statuses are as follows:
Gold: 0 – 4,999 Tier CreditsPlatinum: 5,000 – 14,999 Tier CreditsDiamond: 15,000 – 24,999 Tier CreditsDiamond Plus: 25,000 – 74,999 Tier CreditsDiamond Elite: 75,000+ Tier CreditsSeven Stars®: 150,000+ Tier Credits (exclusive invitation only)
Sports bettors can earn 1 Tier Credit for every $5 of potential profit on sports bets placed *Up to 10 times the original amount staked* Users can redeem these points when playing, dining, shopping, or staying at Caesars resorts and casinos.
New users of FanDuel Sportsbook will receive $150 in bonus bets regardless of whether their bet wins or loses when they deposit and wager $5 on any live sporting market. All users will receive their bonus bets within 72 hours after placing the initial wager.
It is important to note that only bets placed on the FanDuel app are eligible for this promotion. Mobile browser and desktop users will be prompted to download the app to claim the offer when visiting the FanDuel website.
At DraftKings, you will receive a $50 free bet with a minimum deposit of $5. If you don’t have the bankroll to make a more extensive first deposit, this is a humble offer. Still, far from generous considering, DK is a multi-billion dollar industry giant.
The more significant offer DraftKings features is a 20% first deposit match up to $1,000. In this case, you must deposit $5,000 to be eligible to receive the maximum possible bonus amount of $1,000. This is not a reasonable offer for the casual bettor.
BetRivers goes with a risk free bet up to $100 when you use the promo code SPORTS. If your bet loses, you will receive your wager back in bet credits and have a second chance to pick a winner.
The welcome bonus at WynnBet is just a $5 free bet after you bet $100. Compare that to the other welcome bonuses available to bettors in New York and you can see why we've ranked it where we did.
There are even some significant conditions attached. You'll have to place the $100 bet on a straight bet or parlay with odds of -120 (1.83, 54.5%) or greater, and win or lose you'll get your five dollar bet within 24 hours. They expire 10 days after being issued, cannot be used on live bets or promotional boosts, and are non-transferable.
(Note: Terms and conditions apply to all offers and bonuses.)
🚀 Launch Date | Jan. 8, 2022 |
💰 # of Betting Sites | Nine |
📱 Online Sports Betting | ✅ Yes |
🎰 Retail Sports Betting | ✅ Yes |
🖥️ Online Casino | ❌ No |
🃏 Retail Casino | ✅ Yes |
🏈 College Sports Betting | ✅ Yes (but not on in-state teams) |
🌎 2022 Population (est.) | 20 million |
💵 2021 Betting Handle | $197.4 million |
💸 Tax Rate | 50 percent |
It might seem like splitting hairs to those deciding between the top sportsbooks in The Empire State, but we give PointsBet Sportsbook a slight nod over the field by virtue of its immense volume of betting markets and in-house odds. It also caters more to the creative side of the sports betting world, and we like that.
Check out our PointsBet sportsbook review.
We certainly can’t fault anyone from New York for having BetMGM as their mobile sportsbook of choice. Between terrific live-betting odds, frequent rewards for active players and live streaming across a wide range of sports, there’s a lot to like about what BetMGM is doing in the mobile sports betting space.
Check out our BetMGM sportsbook review.
While the days of the $5,000 risk-free bet are long gone, Caesars still offers one of the most competitive bonuses in the industry. And that’s not all America’s largest retail sportsbook offers: Its odds boosts are among the most plentiful in the industry, and has a terrific loyalty program as a result.
Check out our Caesars sportsbook review.
Players from New York have plenty of great online sports betting options to choose from, and FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the leaders of the second tier. Same-game parlays are a major draw for FD, and it helps to have one of the most user-friendly app interfaces you’ll find in the New York market.
Check out our FanDuel sportsbook review.
You’ll find quite a few reasons to back DraftKings Sportsbook in New York. For starters, the interface is one of the more user-friendly in the industry, with seamless integration between the sports betting and daily fantasy products. DK also offers a wide range of sports and bet types.
Check out our DraftKings sportsbook review.
Players will no doubt be drawn to BetRivers’ significant alternate lines and props offerings, along with flexible bet slips that let you set the amount you want to win. That said, the mobile interface is among the least appealing of any sports betting app in New York, and that’s a major strike against.
Check out our Caesars sportsbook review.
New Yorkers could learn to love WynnBet Sportsbook – but it likely won’t be because of the new user bonus, which falls lamentably short compared to the competition. Nothing else really stands out about the sports betting product; you’ll enjoy this app a lot more if you’re into casino action.
Check out our WynnBet sportsbook review.
There’s a strong social component with BallyBet Sportsbook, which is cool if you want the ability to instantly add your friends’ wagers to your betslip. But there isn’t much substance beyond that, between a low sign-up bonus, limited markets even for marquee events and a major lack of standout features.
Check out our BallyBet sportsbook review.
Consult our top list above for the best sports betting options available to you in New York. Our interactive list allows you to sort sportsbooks based on a number of criteria, including banking options, bonuses and quality of customer service.
If you’re looking for more information before making your choice, be sure to check out our detailed, unbiased reviews for each of the top sportsbooks in New York. This is especially important if you want to understand how each book’s bonus offers work.
Registration requirements vary slightly by sportsbook, but most follow the same protocols. Be sure to have your personal information (name, address, phone number) and credit card details (number, expiry date, CVV) handy.
Once you’re comfortable with how your sportsbook’s new signup bonus works, it’s time to make your initial deposit and claim that sweet bonus. The majority of first-time offers for New Yorkers come in one of two forms:
Risk-free bets: This offer guarantees you a refund on your first wager if it is graded as a loss. The sportsbook will refund your initial bet amount (up to a specific limit) either as cash or as site credit.Deposit match: This offer sees the sportsbook match your initial deposit dollar-for-dollar, though there are two caveats. The deposit match will come with a maximum limit, and in the majority of cases you will be required to “play through” your initial deposit by a certain multiple in order to earn the bonus.
Congratulations! You’re ready to place a wager. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the app interface before diving in. Most mobile operators make it easy for new sports bettors to navigate, but it’s still a good idea to know where everything is.
From there, you can place any type of wager you like; the most popular bet types are the moneyline, spread or total. You can also dive into team or player props, or even kick things off with a futures bet.
Once you have the desired wager(s) in your betting card, take one last look to ensure you’ve made the selections you want. If everything is good, simply click the “Bet” button – and you’re off!
Sports fans know the feeling. Your team does everything right, wins a bunch of games, reaches the postseason – and just can’t seal the deal. New York’s path to sports betting legislation was by no means a smooth one, with a handful of near-misses – and even a fantasy casualty along the way – before online betting finally became a reality.
Just when the future of online sports betting in New York looked bleak, Cuomo had a stunning about-face, including mobile sports betting in his April 2021 state budget. Recognizing the significant impact sports betting revenue would have on the state’s bottom line, Cuomo’s reversal sent lawmakers and regulators into overdrive.
While the major sportsbooks quickly lined up as betting partners of New York’s major pro sports teams, regulators chose nine operators in November 2021 to be the first to offer mobile sports betting (FanDuel, BetMGM, DraftKings, Caesars, Rush Street Interactive, PointsBet, Bally Bet, WynnBET, Resorts World).
The New York State Gaming Commission rang in 2022 by announcing that Caesars, BetRivers, DraftKings and FanDuel can begin accepting online wagers – and two days later, on Jan. 8, they did. BetMGM (Jan. 14), PointsBet (Jan. 24), WynnBET (Feb. 4) and Resorts World (March 3) quickly join the fray, helping New York record more than $6 billion in handle over the first four months of legal online wagering.
(A final note: New York did not include any new sports betting licenses in its 2023 budget, so you can expect the initial nine operators to proceed uncontested for at least the foreseeable future.)
Legal sports betting finally made its way to The Empire State in 2019, with Rivers Sportsbook and FanDuel at Tioga Downs opening their retail sportsbooks in July – six years after the initial public vote to allow sports betting at four upstate casinos.
The news on the online betting front wasn’t nearly as positive. Bill S 17, introduced by Sen. Joseph Addabbo (new chairman of the Senate Racing, Wagering and Gaming Committee) passed the Senate but wasn’t brought to a vote in the Assembly.
Any chance for momentum on the mobile sports betting front in 2020 was eviscerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which pressed legislators into dealing with far more significant matters. And it didn’t help matters that Cuomo remained steadfast in his insistence that online sports betting would require a constitutional amendment, a process that likely would have pushed the earliest legislation to 2023 or later.
Guess who was back at it in 2017!
That’s right, our old friends Weprin (A 5438) and Avella (S 940), who both filed identical bills for a fourth time. And two significant things were happening that bolstered their chances: The casinos approved in 2013 to offer retail sports betting were either open or close to opening, and J. Gary Pretlow, the new Chairman of the Assembly’s Racing and Wagering Committee, put sports betting at the “top of (his) agenda”.
Yet, despite the backing of Assemblyman Pretlow and Senator John Bonacic, no sports betting bills reached the floor. And with SCOTUS overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May 2018, paving the way for the introduction of legal sports wagering across the United States, the defeat was especially gut-wrenching.
Weprin (A 3080) and Avella (S 940) wasted no time getting their identical bills refiled, doing so in January 2015. And once again, both bills were sent back to their respective Judiciary Committees and stalled without going further.
To make matters worse for New Yorkers, daily fantasy sports fell under the microscope in 2015. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman ruled that DFS was akin to sports betting, and ordered DFS giants FanDuel and DraftKings to cease and desist.
That defeat was short-lived, however, as Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a DFS bill into law in August 2016, just in time for the daily fantasy NFL rush.
Things looked promising for those pushing hard for sports betting in New York. A slight 57 percent majority of New York voters approved the expansion of an existing gaming package that would allow four proposed upstate casinos to offer sports betting.
Yet, while those casinos were all built and opened over the next five years, the sports betting part of the equation remained in flux. Adams (S 2411), Weprin (A 867) and Avella (S 331) all filed bills in their respective legislatures, but were once again rebuffed. Adams, who had filed the same bill three times, opted not to make a fifth attempt.
Senator Adams wasn’t ready to give up despite his last bill having fallen short. He returned in March 2011 with Bill S 3708 – and this time, he wasn’t alone. Assemblyman David Weprin, one of the biggest champions of sports betting in New York, introduced Bill A 10464 – and his bill was even more ambitious than Adams’.
Weprin included college sports in his filing, while proposing that a portion of the revenue be diverted to education rather than tax relief. He also went one step further with regard to potential sports betting venues, proposing that “any constitutionally authorized casino facility” be considered for sports betting operations.
Senator Tony Avella also entered the picture with Bill S 7401, a nearly identical bill to A 10464. Yet, despite the increased efforts, none of the bills advanced out of committee.
New York’s quest to enter the legal sports betting fray began all the way back in late June 2009, when Senator Eric Adams – who also chaired the state’s Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee – brought forth Bill S 6061.
The bill was designed to allow horse tracks and off-site betting corporations the opportunity to offer sports betting, with the proceeds divided between the operators and the state (along with tax breaks for those who live near the tracks-and off-site areas).
Unfortunately, this bill stalled in committee.
It will come as no surprise to see a rather extensive list of major professional sports available to New York bettors – a list that includes (but is not limited to):
Conversely, there are a handful of events that New Yorkers are unable to wager on, a list that includes:
New York has one of the richest sports histories of any city in the United States, and that has made for an intriguing tapestry when it comes to sports betting operators within the state. There’s also the small wrinkle of two major “New York” franchises playing their home games in New Jersey — the first state outside Nevada to offer legal sports bets.
DraftKings is the official sports betting, iGaming, and daily fantasy operator for the team, an agreement that includes “premier brand integration” across MetLife Stadium during Giants home games.
Whether you wager on the Jets or steadfastly bet against them (and plenty of people fall into the latter category), a trip to MetLife Stadium won’t be complete without a trip to the WynnBet Green Room, an immersive sportsbook experience. B-E-T-S! BETS! BETS! BETS! BETS!
FanDuel is the official mobile sports betting partner of the Bills, a franchise FanDuel Group CMO Mike Raffensperger says has “one of the most loyal fanbases in sports.”
DraftKings is the official sports betting partner of the Knicks, Rangers, and Madison Square Garden, a deal they secured way back in early January 2020. BetMGM and Caesars are also official sponsors of MSG.
Betway wasn’t one of the nine operators initially approved for legal sports betting in New York, but that didn't stop the global powerhouse from getting in front of NY bettors. The Nets have secured Betway as an official sponsor, and anyone who has watched Brooklyn games will recall seeing the “Betway” brand featured prominently.
Rangers fans have two prominent sports betting options to choose from at MSG. BetMGM is an official partner of the team, as is Caesars (DraftKings also has a deal with the club, but it’s primarily via signage and branding). It should come as no surprise to see the world’s most famous arena as a major sports betting hub.
The Islanders are open for business, having just moved into the brand-new UBS Arena in November 2021. But while their Ranger brethren have locked in agreements with a trio of major sports betting companies, the Isles’ involvement in the industry is limited to a sponsorship with Betway — an operator that isn’t even licensed in New York.
It came later than many of the other major pro sports partnerships in the state, but FanDuel added a major feather to its New York cap in February 2022 with its foray into the land of Wegmans and Tops Friendly Markets. The multi-year partnership gives FD exclusive rights to branding, betting odds, and promos during regional Sabres broadcasts.
FanDuel had already been the apple of the Yankees’ eye en route to their initial partnership agreement in 2020 – but not long after the 2022 season kicked off, FD announced a partnership renewal (while upgrading to official sports betting partner). One of the top perks: a FanDuel premium VIP hospitality area at Yankee Stadium.
Ceasars doesn’t do anything small – so when it was announced that the venerable sportsbook operator would be the official sports betting partner of the Mets, it came as no surprise that the deal included plans for a sportsbook lounge at Citi Field. Bettors can enjoy the game (and their bets) at the sportsbook at the Metropolitan Grille.
Can we use the Jets cheer here, as well? Why not? B-E-T-S! BETS! BETS! BETS! BETS!
Since New York casinos were given the opportunity to host retail sportsbooks back in July of 2019, nearly a dozen have added sports betting to their offering. Unfortunately for those located in the New York City area, all 11 of the present retail sportsbooks in NY are located at update commercial or tribal casinos:
The story of New York’s sports betting handle consists of two chapters. The first is made up of roughly 2 ½ years of solely brick-and-mortar numbers, which were solid if unspectacular (and featured a lengthy dark period due to the COVID-fueled cancellation of the majority of the North American sports calendar).
Fast-forward to January 2022, when online sports betting became open for business – and suffice to say, the subsequent increase in handle was absolutely staggering.
Here’s a look at New York’s monthly sports betting handle dating back to 2019.
Month | Handle |
July | $1.3 million |
August | $4.6 million |
September | $13 million |
October | $14.8 million |
November | $17.1 million |
December | $16.8 million |
Total | $67.9 million |
Month | Handle |
January | $17.1 million |
February | $12.8 million |
March | $4.1 million |
April | --- |
May | --- |
June | --- |
July | --- |
August | --- |
September | $10.0 million |
October | $18.1 million |
November | $17.0 million |
December | $18.5 million |
Total | $98.0 million |
Month | Handle |
January | $20.9 million |
February | $14.0 million |
March | $16.5 million |
April | $13.5 million |
May | $14.1 million |
June | $14.2 million |
July | $9.3 million |
August | $9.1 million |
September | $17.3 million |
October | $25.5 million |
November | $21.5 million |
December | $21.1 million |
Total | $197.4 million |
Month | Handle |
January | $1.69 billion |
February | $1.53 billion |
March | $1.64 billion |
April | $1.4 billion |
May | $1.27 billion |
June | $1.06 billion |
July | $805 million |
August | $877.4 million |
September | $1.27 billion |
October | $1.56 billion |
November | $1.56 billion |
Total | $14.66 billion |
Despite only running for 23 days in January, New York shattered the previous record for handle in a single month at $1.62 billion, besting the previous mark of $1.3 billion set by New Jersey in 2021. March Madness helped New York top its January mark two months later, as it took in nearly $1.64 billion for the 31-day period.
After a predictable summer slowdown, September and October represented a return to form for New York. October's $1.5 billion was the most wagered since March when there was college basketball, NBA, and NHL games to bet on.
Yes! Mobile sports wagering officially began in New York on Jan. 8, 2022, while betting at retail locations has been active since July 2019.
You can create an account, deposit, make bets and withdraw using any regulated mobile sports betting app in New York, as long as you are within state borders. Be sure to complete all of your transactions before you leave, however; once you’re outside the state, you will no longer be able to transact.
You certainly can! Any regulated mobile sports betting app should work in whatever New York-based sports venue you’re in at that time.
Check out our list of the top-rated New York sportsbooks.
You’re permitted to wager on any New-York based professional sports team (see the list above). However, you cannot bet on any in-state college teams, or on any college game that takes place within the state of New York.
With close to 20 million people (estimated 2022 population), New York is the fourth-most populous state in America, and the most populous of any state with approved sports betting legislation in place.
The New York State Gaming Commission has jurisdiction over sports betting in the state. You’ll find plenty of information on the NYSGC website, including directions for self-exclusion, laws and regulations, and mobile sports wagering reports.
No. Sports betting was included as part of the larger state budget bill, which Cuomo signed into law on April 19, 2021.
There very well could be – but it won’t be anytime soon. With no sports betting expansion added to the state’s most recent budget, operators looking to get into the state will have to wait until 2023 at the earliest.