New York Sports Betting: Best NY Online Sportsbook Sites April 2024

NY sports betting key developments and updates

Is sports betting legal in New York?

Yes, sports betting is legal in New York. In April 2021, legislation permitting state-wide mobile sports wagering was signed into law by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, although the final regulations weren't adopted until November 2021. Legal mobile betting officially launched on Jan. 8, 2022.

New York sports betting quick facts

New York sports betting promos and bonuses

New York sports betting sites came online in early 2022, but the relative newness has yet to wear off. Operators continue to offer new players hundreds and thousands of dollars in welcome bonuses to entice account registrations.

If you’ve yet to sign up for an online sportsbook or one of many New York sports betting apps, do not pass up the opportunity to claim these generous promotions:

• Caesars Sportsbook: $1,000 first bet on Caesars
• FanDuel: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets
• DraftKings: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets

Suppose you are already a customer of one of the above outlets. In that case, the ongoing promotions these sportsbooks offer represent tangible value. Bet insurance and boosted odds are a daily occurrence and provide a safety net should you hit a cold streak.

Top New York sports betting sites

All New York betting sites are known for some betting attributes, including BetMGM, which branded itself the "King of Parlays" by offering more parlay odds than any other sportsbook. Our list highlights the top features from the seven other NY sportsbooks.

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Why DraftKings is the best sportsbook in New York 👑

If Babe Ruth rightfully earned the moniker “Sultan of Swat,” DraftKings is also worthy of his other nickname, “The Colossus of Clout.” This industry leader continues to innovate its offerings and smash those looking to overtake its throne — although FanDuel vs. DraftKings is always a hot debate — as the best sportsbook in New York.

DraftKings Sportsbook was one of the first betting sites to launch NY mobile betting on day one. DraftKings earned a reputation for its stellar user experience, vast betting marketing, live in-game betting, live video streaming, and ongoing welcome bonuses and promotions. They are currently one of the best prop betting sites you can play on, making them a popular choice during football season.

The current welcome bonus — claimable without a DraftKings promo code — for new players in New York is a bet $5, get $200 in bonus bets offer. You can make a minimum deposit and wager of $5 on any sports market. 

Other New York online sportsbooks and sports betting apps

Caesars New York 🏛

After marinating in the Las Vegas desert for years, Caesars Sportsbook has taken its talents around the United States and continues to make a hard marketing push in New York. Its welcome bonus, an up to $1,000 first bet on Caesars, ranks as a top sign-up promo in the country. Remember to use Caesars Sportsbook promo code SBRBONUS1000 during registration.

In addition to robust betting markets, Caesars hangs its hat on the fact that online sportsbook customers earn the same rewards as patrons of its retail sportsbooks and casinos. Win, lose, or push (draw), and you are earning rewards points that can be redeemed for bonus funds and exclusive experiences that only Caesars can offer.

Where to bet on sports in New York: Caesars review

FanDuel New York 🔵

FanDuel’s C-suite execs deserve a pat on the back for working out a betting partnership with the New York Yankees. This visibility will only help its marketing efforts in a state where its in direct competition with bitter rival DraftKings. FanDuel NY steps to the plate with a bet $5 on any market, be awarded $150 in bonus bets offer win or lose. — no FanDuel promo code necessary.

Its app ratings for iOS and Android are slightly higher than that of DraftKings, which aligns with its "America’s #1 sportsbook app" branding.

We consider its live in-game betting and live video streaming of select events as solid reasons to warrant downloading the FanDuel Sportsbook mobile app. FanDuel also helped pioneer the same-game parlay, giving it the deserved reputation of one of the best NFL same-game parlay betting sites.

Where to bet on sports in New York: FanDuel review

BetMGM New York 🦁

The iconic Las Vegas gaming brand is live in the Big Apple. They market themselves of the "King of Parlays" and it's easy to see why. Not only do they offer a ton of daily pre-built parlays, but their bet builder feature makes it a breeze to craft your own. 

BetMGM's mobile app is particularly great, earning thousands of positive reviews from both Apple and Android users. New York betters can use either platform to quickly search for games and wagers they are interested in, review the odds, easily add picks to their betting slip, and lock in those bets.

BetMGM NY doesn't currently offer a welcome bonus, so there's no need for a BetMGM bonus code at this time. We'll update this section if things ever change. 

Where to bet on sports in New York: BetMGM Review

BetRivers New York ⚡

The proud child of Rush Street Interactive, BetRivers Sportsbook occupies space in ten states, including New York. It was one of the first mobile sports betting sites to launch on opening day in January 2022.

The mobile app offers live in-game betting and live video streaming of pertinent sporting events. Plus, those unfamiliar with the brand should know Rush Street Interactive is a perennial winner of many global gaming awards for the quality of its betting products. Its $250 sign-up bonus can be collected once you've entered BetRivers bonus code SBRBONUS.

Where to bet on sports in New York: BetRivers review

New York sportsbooks honorable mentions

We added a little depth to our top-five NY sports betting apps, but the two online sports betting sites mentioned below deserve your time. If you want to check out our thorough reviews of each, you might find that Bally Bet or BetMGM may be a better fit for your sports betting needs. 

• Bally Bet
• Fanatics

How we rate and review New York sportsbooks

Empire State residents have been craving sports betting since it was made legal in 2013, years before the Supreme Court’s historic decision. However, with nine online sports betting sites and sports betting apps to choose from, the decision-making process on which to sign up can be arduous. Don't fret. Our sports betting experts did the heavy lifting. We’ve meticulously reviewed and rated each of the nine operators’ products with a heavy focus on the following categories.

Welcome bonuses and promotions

As evidenced by the billions of dollars in wagers made in 2022, the New York sports betting market is uber-competitive. The bottom line: Each sports betting site operator offers sign-up bonuses to earn your business. In a competitive online sports betting market, operators have to get creative with their respective welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions. However, the actual value often lies in ongoing promotions like bonus bets, bet insurance, and odds boosts, in addition to loyalty rewards.

User experience

Grading online sports betting sites and their respective user experience is a pillar of our model. Empire State residents are resilient and crave substance over flash. We look under the hood and examine how well the betting site or mobile app components are put together. We ensure that it's easy to navigate, doesn’t hang or buffer, live betting odds are quick and sharp, customer service is adequate, and banking deposits and payouts are fast.

Sports bet variety

We know New York residents are partial to betting on their hometown teams. Our experts also rate online sportsbooks on their various betting markets. They offer more than NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL betting odds daily. We’re looking for golf tournaments, European soccer odds, tennis majors, and even more non-mainstream sporting events like table tennis and volleyball.

Banking options

SBR experts know that in the early days of legal sports betting in the United States, banking was always a pain point. Thankfully, the best NY sportsbooks have evolved and offer a full slate of widely available banking methods, including credit and debit cards, bank wire transfers, and third-party services like PayPal.

Payout speed

We dig into the payout speeds of the nine sports betting operators in New York state. Let's say that your three-team NFL parlay just netted you more than $1,000, and you’re ready to cash out. The worst thing that can happen is a sluggish payout, and it’s your money, after all, and you shouldn’t have to wait on it to be paid out. Our ranking of the fastest payout sportsbooks can help you decide which one is right for you.

Security and customer support

Based on our years of experience, new players will undoubtedly need online sports betting sites and sportsbook app customer support at some point. Often, it's as simple as a question related to their account or clarity as to a ruling or scoring on a specific sporting event. The best New York betting sites offer 24/7 customer support via phone, chat, and email. Live chat is the best because it helps you get answers to your questions in the shortest amount of time.

Regarding your personal and financial information, the sports betting app and account security is critical. This is why SBR’s editorial guidelines place a specific and strong emphasis on the operator’s use of software encryption and other web security policies in place to avoid hacks and would-be bad actors from getting into their systems.

How to start betting in New York

Whether you’re new to sports betting or a cagey veteran sharp handicapper that sees the value in New York Yankees World Series futures odds, getting started at legal New York sports betting sites is easy.

1. Select a sportsbook licensed in New York

Identifying a sportsbook that suits your betting needs is the first step. Some homework is required on your part, but our team of sports betting experts has made it easy by independently evaluating and reviewing all eight online NY sportsbooks.

In particular, you’ll want to pay special attention to welcome bonuses, ongoing promotions, and accepted banking methods each operator offers before creating a new account. Once you’ve found your preferred mobile sportsbook, sign up on the site, and download it to your iOS or Android smart device.

2. Register online

To begin the sign-up process, head over to the sportsbook's website or download their mobile app. The operator will ask you to provide basic personal information. At this stage, you’ll need to fill out an online form with your full name, home address, email address, date of birth, and social security number. The SSN helps with identification verification and does aid with payouts later on, to help sync up accounts.

The operator will likely send you an email verification to make your account live. Next, you’ll need to create a unique password to protect your account. We recommend using at least eight characters and a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.

3. Deposit

Following account registration and verification, you'll have to visit the online sportsbook’s cashier page. You’ll make a first-time deposit by syncing up your preferred banking method with your sportsbook account. Deposits can be made via credit card, debit card, bank wire transfer, or with PayPal.

Before submitting the deposit, keep an eye out for promo code fields where you must enter a code at the time of the transaction to earn the welcome bonus. These days most operators don’t require a promo code or auto-fill it in for you. Still, you don’t want to miss out on generous bonuses by forgetting this step in the process. Once your first deposit is made, it’s time to place a first-time wager.

4. Make your first bet

Choosing what to bet on first is where a sports betting app’s user experience becomes so important, especially for new players. The ability to navigate the app seamlessly, with as few steps as possible, from lining up your wager to finalizing and processing the wager, is paramount to success.

New York sports betting apps offer all the major markets you want, from the NFL and NBA to international specials like golf and tennis tournaments. At the same time, UFC and heavyweight boxing matches still garner substantial interest on fight nights.

Available betting odds range from your most common moneylines, point spreads, and point totals to live betting in-game, same-game parlays, and player props. Once you’ve honed in on the bet or bets you want to make, submit your bet slip and wait for confirmation.

5. Claim a bonus

Depending on what kind of bonus you're going for, you may have already claimed it simply by making a deposit. However, more common bonuses now require at least a small bet in order to activate them.

Read the terms and conditions of the sportsbook welcome bonus. Make sure you meet the conditions with your first bet. First bet insurance style bonuses require you to actually lose your first bet in order to claim them, so bet accordingly and within your bankroll.

6. Withdraw your payout

Congratulations, your first bet was a winner! Now what? If you win and are ready to cash out, head back to the "Cashier" on your account and click "Withdraw." The app will show you the various payout methods available. Pick one that works, enter the required details, and input the amount you want to withdraw.

Most cash outs take less than five business days from request to transfer confirmation. Still, it’s always worth noting that requesting a physical check be sent to your residence could take up to 15 business days. Bonus funds typically cannot be withdrawn as cash. You'll have to wager with them at least once before you can cash them out. 

New York sports betting handle

In 2022, New York’s sports betting handle racked a record $16.1 billion in wagers. The state's sports betting handle cleared $1.5 billion each month of the NFL regular season in October, November, and December. 

The governor projected tax revenues of $615 million for the 2023 fiscal year budget. Those coffers would fund underserved youth sports programs, problem gambling resources, and treatment and educational programs.

2023

New York sports leagues and teams to bet on

New York and its residents boast a healthy appetite for all things sports, and its passionate fans sport local team colors proudly. Despite their hometown affection, we urge new players not to place sports bets on hometown teams based on emotion alone. Why? It’s the quickest way to drain your bankroll. Do your homework the next time the Bills take the field, or you think the Knicks can pull off the upset on the road. Injuries, depth chart changes, and weather can wreak havoc on your favorite team and the outcome of future sports bets.

In addition to the leagues and teams highlighted above, wagering on professional soccer is big too. This stretches beyond betting on Euro leagues like the Premiere League, as Major League Soccer (MLS) fans can bet on the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC.

Sports bettors can check out the top sportsbooks for specific sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories:

Legal New York sports betting options

New York's online sports betting market boasts eight unique online sportsbooks and sports betting apps. For comparison's sake, neighboring New Jersey has nearly three times as many.

New York’s online and mobile sportsbooks

Land-based NY sportsbooks

There are 11 retail sportsbooks in New York: Four inside commercial casinos and seven upstate casinos on tribal lands. Each of the 11 sportsbooks has partnered with an online operator. 

Who can bet on sports in New York?

Legal age 🎂

Prospective New York sports bettors must be at least 21 years old to place a legal wager. The New York Gaming Commission permits those 18 or older to wager on the lottery and horse racing.

Mobile betting 📱

The ability to place wagers on the go was instituted with the legal launch of NY sports betting in January 2022. As a New York resident or visitor, you have nine mobile sports betting apps to choose from should you want to wager with a mobile device while on the go. Remember, you must be physically inside the state to place a wager and withdraw any winnings.

Remote registration 💻

New York sports bettors do not have to visit a retail location to register for an online sportsbook account. Sports betting apps for all eight operators allow you to register remotely, and it only takes a few minutes to get started. Sports betting operators use geo-location services embedded within the apps to verify your location. 

Within state borders 🌎

When wagering on sports online, New York residents and those visiting the state must be within state lines for the sportsbook to accept the bet. Operators use geotagging software to determine your precise location at the time you go to place a bet. The apps and sites will only allow you to submit a bet slip if you're within the state.

Retail sportsbooks 🏢

If you want to feel the buzz of a casino and retail sportsbook, New York offers 11 retail sports betting land-based gambling centers. Four commercial casinos feature sportsbooks and seven tribal casinos – like Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resorts – that offer sports betting. What about NYC? Gambling companies and real-estate developers are building buzz around establishing a casino in New York City, perhaps even midtown Manhattan. 

Taxable winnings 💸

The federal tax rate on gambling profits stands at 24%, but New York also needs its slice of the pie, applying a rate of 8.82% on winnings over $5,000.

What you can't bet on in New York

New York gambling laws allow you to wager on professional and international sporting events all around the globe every single day. However, to protect the integrity of specific markets, the New York Gaming Commission did limit or forbid certain categories or markets.

Politics ❌

With the amount of energy dedicated to political opinion in New York state, political betting markets would likely thrive. However, it is illegal to wager on political events and election odds in New York. We don’t envision that market becoming available anytime soon, either.

Entertainment award ceremonies ❌

Wagering on entertainment award ceremonies like the Grammys, Emmys, or Academy Awards is prohibited.

eSports ❌

The New York Gaming Commission needs to elaborate on specific language regarding esports betting. Bottom line: Consider the activity illegal until state regulators formally judge the matter.

College sports 🎓

While New York sports bettors may wager on college sporting events outside state borders, it is illegal to wager on NY-based college sports teams. What does that mean? Look elsewhere if you're looking to lay down action on the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.

Responsible NY sports betting

The New York Gaming Commission is tasked with regulating all forms of gambling in the state, including sports betting. The NYGC mandate covers the complete monitoring of online sports operators and retail sports betting, state lotteries, and horse racing markets. They want to provide transparency and keep online operations honest via fair play and constant audits and reviews.

The NYGC also looks out for the consumer and offers several responsible gaming programs to those interested. The NYGC partnered with the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and the New York Council on Problem Gambling to form the Responsible Play Partnership. In addition to online resources to help those suffering from gambling addiction, the RPP also offers physical treatment centers.

Individuals may also enroll in self-exclusion programs which limit or ban them from betting online or with retail sports betting outlets. The NYCPG offers unique programs targeting children to make them aware of the signs of problem gambling.

New York problem gambling helpline: 1-877-8-HOPENY or text to HOPENY

National U.S. problem gambling helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER

Sportsbooks to avoid in New York

Now that sports betting is legal in New York and interested parties have eight reputable online sportsbooks to choose from, it’s now wiser to avoid risky offshore sportsbooks. Aside from unregulated operations away from the watchful eye of the New York Gaming Commission, offshore customers report confiscated winning bets, slow payouts, and overall poor user experience and customer support. 

Growth of sports betting 📈

When the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018, the growth of legal sports betting in the United States skyrocketed. Close to three dozen states have since legalized some form of sports betting, with the most common legislation including the licensing of online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. Check our legal sports betting tracker to find out more about any state you're interested in. 

Over the past two years, large states like Ohio and Massachusetts have enjoyed massively successful online betting launches. Sports fans get an extra way to engage with their favorite teams, and the states earn plenty of much-needed revenue from licensing fees and taxes.

Most recently, legal North Carolina sports betting arrived on March 11, 2024, bringing eight of the best sportsbooks in the country to the Tar Heel state.