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Is sports betting legal in New York?
Yes.
- New York first authorized sports wagering at four upstate commercial casinos in 2013, but the authorization depended on federal law changing.
- After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2018, the state moved forward with regulations and retail sportsbooks opened in July 2019 at Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, del Lago Resort & Casino, Tioga Downs Casino Resort, and Resorts World Catskills.
Mobile betting took longer. State budget legislation in 2021 authorized a competitive mobile framework, and statewide online wagering launched on January 8, 2022.
- New York requires bettors to be at least 21 and physically located inside the state when a mobile wager is placed.
- Residency is not required, which means a visitor can create or use an eligible account while physically present in New York, subject to identity and geolocation checks.
The market is unusual because New York did not simply issue an unlimited number of commercial licenses.
- The original procurement selected a group of platform providers and nine operators, with a tax-rate matrix that settled at 51% of mobile sports wagering gross gaming revenue.
- That tradeoff has produced enormous tax collections but also leaves operators with a smaller share of revenue than in most other states.
New York sports betting rules at a glance
- ✓Online and retail betting are legalMobile wagering is statewide; commercial retail betting is available at four upstate casinos.
- 21Minimum age is 21You must also pass identity checks and be physically inside New York to wager online.
- 9Nine mobile sportsbook brandsThe current operator set includes the major national brands plus regional options.
- %51% mobile taxCommercial casino sports wagering is taxed at 10%, while mobile wagering uses the 51% rate established by the bid process.
Legal New York sportsbook apps
New York's current mobile operator set includes FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN BET, Bally Bet, Resorts World Bet, and Rush Street Interactive, which operates the BetRivers brand. The field has changed through acquisitions: Fanatics replaced PointsBet, while ESPN BET replaced Wynn's former market position after Penn Entertainment's acquisition.
| Sportsbook | What stands out | Internal review | Market note |
|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | Large market menu, polished live betting | Read review | Original 2022 launch group |
| DraftKings | Deep props and same-game parlays | Read review | Original 2022 launch group |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Rewards ecosystem and broad markets | Read review | Original 2022 launch group |
| BetMGM | Strong app, boosts and national brand | Read review | Launched January 2022 |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Rewards integration and growing product | Read review | Replaced PointsBet in 2024 |
| ESPN BET | ESPN-linked experience | Read review | Launched September 2024 |
| Bally Bet | Simple mobile interface | Read review | Licensed mobile operator |
| BetRivers / Rush Street | Regional loyalty and straightforward betting | Read review | Rush Street Interactive license |
| Resorts World Bet | New York casino connection | Compare reviews | Empire Resorts / Resorts World brand |
Because the mobile tax is unusually high, headline promotions can be less aggressive than in lower-tax states.
- Before accepting any offer, read the rollover, expiration, minimum-odds, and withdrawal conditions.
- Our sportsbook bonus guide explains how to evaluate those terms, and our line shopping strategy explains why comparing the same market across multiple New York apps can matter more than chasing a promotion.
Which sports can you bet on in New York?
Legal New York sportsbooks cover the major U.S. professional leagues, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, and WNBA, along with tennis, golf, international soccer, MMA, boxing, motorsports, and other approved events.
College betting is more restrictive. New York law defines a prohibited sports event to include any event in which a New York college team participates, regardless of where the event takes place.
- That means a Syracuse, St.
- John's, Army, Columbia, Cornell, Fordham, Buffalo, or other New York college game is off-limits even when played outside the state.
- A tournament held in New York can still be wagered on if no New York college team is participating in the specific event.
The Gaming Commission also prohibits individual athlete-based proposition bets in collegiate events. This is broader than simply banning player props on New York schools: the Commission has stated that college athlete proposition wagering is prohibited across collegiate events.
| Market | Status | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York college team game | Not permitted | Syracuse game | New York team participation makes it a prohibited event |
| Out-of-state college game | Generally permitted | Alabama vs. Georgia outside NY | Subject to approved-event rules |
| College player proposition | Not permitted | Quarterback passing yards | Individual athlete college props are prohibited |
| Professional player prop | Permitted when approved | NBA points prop | Standard pro prop markets are widely available |
| High-school event | Not permitted | Any high-school game | Outside the regulated sports-event scope |
Bet types & live betting in New York
New York's mobile sportsbooks offer moneylines, point spreads, totals, team props, professional player props, same-game parlays, futures, and live in-play betting on approved events. The fundamentals are the same as elsewhere: the odds determine the potential payout, the stake is the amount risked, and the market rules determine how a result settles.
| Bet type | What you are betting on | Simple example | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Which side wins | Team A -150 | Moneyline guide |
| Point spread | Margin of victory | Team B +4.5 | Bet types guide |
| Total | Combined score | Over 47.5 | Odds & lines |
| Same-game parlay | Multiple outcomes in one game | ML + total + pro player prop | Parlay guide |
| Live betting | Markets after play begins | Live spread | Live betting guide |
New York is especially well-suited to line shopping because nine mobile brands are available. If one book lists -110 and another lists -105 on the same market, the second price reduces the amount risked for the same potential profit. Small differences compound over repeated bets, so compare the number and the market rules rather than assuming one app is always best.
Retail sportsbooks in New York
Commercial retail sports wagering is available at the four upstate casinos that launched after PASPA: Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, del Lago Resort & Casino, Tioga Downs Casino Resort, and Resorts World Catskills. Tribal gaming properties also offer sports wagering under separate compact frameworks in parts of the state.
| Property | Area | Retail sports wagering | Market context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers Casino & Resort | Schenectady | Yes | Capital Region commercial casino |
| del Lago Resort & Casino | Waterloo / Finger Lakes | Yes | Central New York commercial casino |
| Tioga Downs Casino Resort | Nichols | Yes | Southern Tier commercial casino |
| Resorts World Catskills | Monticello | Yes | Catskills commercial casino |
Most New York wagering is mobile because remote account registration is allowed and many residents live far from the upstate commercial casinos. A retail book can still be useful for cash deposits, in-person betting, or a game-day environment, but it is not required to open a mobile account.
Why New York still has no online casino
New York does not currently permit regulated real-money online casino gaming.
- Senator Joseph Addabbo's 2025-2026 interactive gaming bill, S2614, would authorize interactive gaming and interactive lottery gaming, but as of September 2026 it remains in the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee.
- In other words, New York's mature online sportsbook market has not yet been followed by legal online slots, blackjack, roulette, or poker under a statewide iGaming framework.
Sports betting is legal; online casino is not
- Mobile and retail sports wagering are regulated and live.
- Real-money online casino gaming has not been enacted.
- Neighboring New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut have regulated iGaming markets.
- Legislative status can change, so check the current bill and Gaming Commission materials.
How New York compares to other states
New York's combination of scale and tax policy is unusual. The New York State Gaming Commission reported more than $22.8 billion in mobile wagers during calendar year 2024, with more than $1.05 billion in state mobile sports wagering tax revenue. The 51% mobile tax is far above the rates used in most neighboring states.
| State | Mobile sports betting | Online casino | Sportsbook tax snapshot |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Yes | No | 51% mobile; 10% commercial retail |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | Lower than New York mobile rate |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes | 36% sportsbook tax |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | 13.75% sports wagering payment rate |
| Illinois | Yes | No | 20%-40% progressive + online per-wager tax |
What the 51% rate means for bettors
The tax is imposed on operator gaming revenue, not deducted directly from an individual winning ticket. But tax structure still matters because it influences how much margin operators have for promotions, customer acquisition, and pricing. New York's massive volume keeps major brands in the market even with the unusually high rate.
How to sign up for a New York sportsbook
Seven-step signup checklist
- 1Choose a licensed appUse one of New York's nine authorized mobile sportsbook brands.
- 2Create an accountEnter your legal name, date of birth, address, email, phone, and required identity details.
- 3Verify identityThe sportsbook may request additional documentation if automated checks cannot confirm you.
- 4Enable locationNew York requires approved geolocation to verify you are physically in the state.
- 5Fund the accountUse an available deposit method and keep betting funds separate from essential money.
- 6Review the bet slipConfirm the selection, odds, stake, and potential return before submitting.
- 7Track results and limitsKeep a betting record and use account limits where helpful.
Before depositing, read our bankroll management guide and betting slip guide. The first helps you choose a deliberate stake size; the second explains what to verify before a wager becomes final.
Taxes on winnings and sportsbook revenue
Sports betting winnings are generally taxable income for federal and New York purposes. A sportsbook may issue Form W-2G when a payout meets federal reporting thresholds, but the absence of a form does not automatically make gambling winnings non-taxable. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances, so keep records and use a qualified tax professional for personal advice.
| Item | Current rule | Applies to | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile sportsbook tax | 51% of GGR | Licensed mobile platform providers/operators | One of the highest mobile sportsbook tax rates in the U.S. |
| Commercial casino sports game tax | 10% | Four commercial casinos | Lower rate for casino table/sports wagering revenue |
| Youth sports funding | $5M annually from mobile revenue | State allocation | Supports sports programs for underserved youth |
| Problem gambling funding | At least $6M annually, with additional funding beginning in 2026 | State allocation | Supports prevention, education, and treatment |
| Remaining mobile tax revenue | Primarily education aid | State allocation | Major destination for New York's mobile tax receipts |
The tax is on sportsbook revenue, not your stake
If you place a $100 wager, New York does not take 51% of your stake as a sportsbook tax. The 51% rate applies to mobile sports wagering gross gaming revenue as defined by state law and regulation. Bettors still need to consider personal income-tax obligations on gambling winnings separately.
Responsible gambling resources
The New York State Gaming Commission regulates sportsbook advertising and responsible-gaming requirements. Current rules require public-facing sports wagering advertisements to include the HOPEline, restrict misleading or risk-free claims, prohibit targeted college-campus promotion, and require operators to provide responsible-gaming controls and information.
Gambling support is available through 1-877-8-HOPENY and 1-800-GAMBLER. Our responsible gambling guide explains common warning signs and sportsbook limit tools in more detail.
FAQ
When did sports betting become legal in New York?
New York authorized sports wagering at four upstate commercial casinos in 2013. Retail sportsbooks opened in July 2019, and statewide mobile sports wagering launched January 8, 2022.
How many mobile sportsbooks operate in New York?
New York's current licensed mobile operator set includes nine brands: FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, Fanatics Sportsbook, ESPN BET, Bally Bet, Resorts World Bet, and Rush Street Interactive/BetRivers.
Why is New York's mobile sports betting tax 51%?
The 51% rate came from the competitive 2021 mobile sports wagering bid and tax-rate matrix. It applies to mobile sports wagering gross gaming revenue and is much higher than the 10% sports wagering game tax at the four commercial casinos.
Can I bet on New York college teams?
No. New York law treats any sports event involving a New York college team as a prohibited sports event regardless of where the event takes place. The state also prohibits individual athlete proposition bets in collegiate events.
Does New York have legal online casino gaming?
No. New York does not currently have regulated real-money online casino gaming. The 2025-2026 interactive gaming bill S2614 remains in the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee as of this guide's September 2026 fact check.
What is the minimum age to bet on sports in New York?
21. Bettors must also be physically located inside New York when placing a regulated sports wager.
Official sources and fact-checking
The mobile operator list, 51% mobile tax, 10% commercial sports-wagering tax, college restrictions, responsible-gaming rules, and iGaming bill status were checked against current New York State Gaming Commission and New York State Senate materials.
- New York State Gaming Commission - mobile sports wagering operators and responsible gaming
- New York State Gaming Commission - statewide mobile wagering data and 51% tax note
- New York State Gaming Commission - market structure and prohibited college events
- New York State Gaming Commission - collegiate player prop policy
- New York Senate S2614 - interactive gaming proposal
Last fact-checked: September 15, 2026.