New York Online Sports Betting Reaches Record $26.3 Billion in 2025

New York has reached a new mobile sports betting record, with total wagers generating $26.3 billion in 2025, up 15% year-on-year from the previous year’s total of $22.6 billion. 

According to figures published by the New York State Gaming Commission, October proved to be the busiest month for New York sports betting since it was legalized in January 2022. November was another busy month for bettors, while the summer months reported a slowdown in wagers compared to the winter. 

FanDuel maintained the largest market share in the state, closing the year with approximately $1.1 billion in total revenue. The operator became the first in New York to surpass $1 billion in monthly handle, reaching that milestone in October. 

DraftKings recorded the second-highest figures, reporting $84.1 million in revenue from an $801.6 million handle in December alone. While most operators saw growth, theScore Bet, which replaced ESPN BET on the PENN Entertainment platform in late 2024, reported $3.6 million in December revenue, down from the prior-year levels of its predecessor.

The year concluded with a high-volume fourth quarter, though December totals slowed from the record highs set in November. The December handle reached $2.4 billion, representing an 8.6% decline from the $2.6 billion wagered in November. 

Proposed mandates target underage access and AI

As sports betting continues to grow in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul is advocating for the use of biometrics to restrict access to sports betting sites. She has included in her 2026 State of the State agenda a request that the New York State Gaming Commission explore the use of facial recognition software and thumbprint scanners.

These measures are designed to prevent users under 21 from accessing platforms through accounts registered to individuals other than themselves.

The proposal further addresses the use of artificial intelligence in gambling marketing. The governor intends to prohibit operators from using AI to distribute personalized promotions that encourage wagering beyond established user limits. There will still be plenty of attractive New York sportsbook promos to choose from, even if the change is enacted.

This initiative follows commission data indicating an increase in underage users finding ways to bypass responsible gambling measures.

"From day one, one of my highest priorities has been keeping kids and our most vulnerable safe in a rapidly changing digital world, and that includes risks posed by online gambling," Hochul told ESPN in a statement. "By engaging tools like biometric age verification, establishing stronger prevention and treatment and applying the same vigilance to online betting that we have brought to social media and AI we will build on our progress to protect New Yorkers from predatory and addictive technologies."

These regulatory steps come as the state continues to issue cease-and-desist orders to unlicensed prediction markets operating outside the legal framework. Trade organizations have indicated they will coordinate with state regulators on the technical integration of new identity verification tools.