New York Online Sports Betting Laws

New York sports betting has been legal at retail sportsbooks for a few years and mobile betting is on the way as well.

New York sports betting was legalized in 2019 at four upstate commercial casinos under a  2013 constitutional amendment authorizing up to seven commercial casinos in the Empire State. The state’s first retail sportsbooks launched in July 2019 at the commercial casinos, and tribal casinos with a tribal-state gaming compact. 

Today, New York retail sportsbooks are operational at eight casinos statewide. 

New York mobile sports betting became law on April 19, 2021, when former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the New York state fiscal year 2022 state budget into law. Mobile sports betting provisions were included in revenue legislation required as part of the one-year state budget process. Approval of New York mobile sports betting came after state lawmakers and Gov. Cuomo reached an agreement on the issue in the last days of the 2021 state legislative session.

Mobile sportsbooks are not yet live in New York but are expected to launch to in-state bettors in early 2022. Mobile betting servers will be located in one or more of the four upstate commercial casinos, per the fiscal year 2022 budget language. 

The New York State Gaming Commission on Nov. 8 announced the nine mobile sports betting platforms that will be allowed to operate in the state. They are Caesars Sportsbook, Resorts World, PointsBet, Rush Street Interactive, WynnBET, FanDuel, Bally Bet, BetMGM, and DraftKings.

New York Gambling Options Right Now

Retail sportsbooks opened in New York in July 2019. Mobile sportsbooks will go live after the NYSGC has finished vetting and licensing platform providers and mobile skins, with a launch scheduled “as soon as practicable,” says the NYSGC. Sources involved in NY budget negotiations expect a mobile launch no later than the 2022 Super Bowl.

New York has not legalized online casino gaming. The New York State Legislature did not consider online casinos as part of the fiscal year 2022 budget negotiations, and future consideration is uncertain. The legalization of online casinos in New York would likely require a constitutional amendment. 

New York has several retail casinos, including four upstate commercial casinos authorized under a 2013 state constitutional amendment. Commercial casinos and tribal casinos in New York offer slots, live and electronic table games, and may offer poker rooms.

Retail sports betting is available at all four commercial casinos and four tribal casinos.  

Mobile sports betting was approved by the 2021 New York State Legislature and will be operational in the coming months. Mobile sportsbook licenses will be given to at least two platforms and four skins. Betting servers, which will receive the mobile wagers, will be located in the commercial casino(s) selected by the NYSGC. 

New York also has several racinos, most offering VLTs, electronic table games, and even pari-mutuel wagering. There is also a New York state lottery. 

Breakdown of NY Mobile Sports Betting In 2025

Tax RateMin. 12 percent (mobile); 10 percent (retail)
License Fees$25 million, renewable
LegalizedApril 7, 2021 (Retail: 2019)
Date Online Gambling Signed Into LawApril 19, 2021

New York Gambling History – A Timeline

  • 1833 — New York bans lotteries under the New York state constitution. 
  • 1894 — Aqueduct Racetrack opens.
  • 1905 — Belmont Park racetrack opens.
  • Nov. 1966 — New Yorkers amend their state constitution to allow for a state lottery.
  • July 1967 — The first New York State lottery is drawn by State Tax Commissioner Joseph H. Murphy.
  • April 1971 — Off-track betting begins in New York The first legal off-track betting operations were at Roosevelt Raceway, Grand Central Terminal, and at an OTB shop in Queens. 
  • April 1993 — New York signs its first tribal-state gaming compact with the Oneida Indian Nation. Later gaming compacts would be signed between the state and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in Oct. 1993, and between the state and the Seneca Nation of Indians in Aug. 2002. 
  • July 1993 — The Oneida Indian Nation opens Turning Stone Casino Resort. 
  • Oct. 2001 — New York legalizes VLTs for most racetracks, creating New York’s first racinos. The state also allows for additional tribal casinos and expands state lottery offerings.
  • Dec 2002 — The Seneca Nation opens Seneca Niagara Casino. The tribe would later open Seneca Allegany Casino in May 2004, and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in July 2007. 
  • June 2013 — The New York State Legislature passes the Upstate NY Economic Development Gaming Act, putting approval of commercial casinos before voters via statewide ballot. 
  • Nov. 2013 — New York voters approve the New York Casino Gambling Amendment, Proposal 1, allowing the state legislature to authorize up to seven commercial casinos.
  • May 2018 — The U.S. Supreme Court allows states to legalize sports betting by striking down the PASPA, the federal law had prohibited states outside of Nevada from legalizing sports betting for more than two decades.
  • June 2019 — NYSGC approves retail sportsbook licenses for New York’s four commercial casinos.  Legal retail sportsbooks open at New York commercial and tribal casinos by the end of Sept. 2019. 
  • Jan 2021 — Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the first time announces his support for New York mobile sports betting legalization. 
  • April 2021 — Mobile sports betting legislation is signed into law by Gov. Cuomo under the fiscal year 2022 New York state budget bill. 
  • August 2021 The NYSGC receives bids from sports betting operators wanting to launch in the state after releasing a Request for Applications (RFA).
  • Nov. 8, 2021 The NYSGC approves temporary online sports betting licenses for Caesars Sportsbook, Resorts World, PointsBet, Rush Street Interactive, WynnBET, FanDuel, Bally Bet, BetMGM, and DraftKings.

New York Mobile Sports Betting Facts

Minimum Age For Mobile Sports Betting21
Type of Bets Allowed?Only fixed-odds wagering will be allowed.
When Did New York Legalize Mobile Sports Betting?April 19, 2021
Who Regulates Mobile Sports Betting?New York State Gaming Commission

New York Gambling FAQs

Is online gambling safe in New York?

Yes, but only through state-regulated sports betting platforms once New York mobile sports betting is fully operational. New York has no legal online casinos, so betting outside of a retail casino in New York is considered risky. 

How can I ensure the safety of my personal information at online casinos and sports betting sites in New York? 

The best way to protect yourself once New York mobile sports betting goes live is to use reputable betting websites. App reviews, user reviews, and detailed FAQs can help you to judge a website’s trustworthiness. If you aren’t sure that a website or app is trustworthy, don’t use it. 

Who operates online gaming sites in New York? 

It depends. New York legal mobile sports betting will be operated through state-licensed betting servers at commercial casinos. There are currently no legal online casinos or online sports betting sites in New York. 

What happens if I have a dispute with an online casino in New York? 

Disputes with an online casino in New York must go through the company or companies operating the website. There are currently no state-regulated online casinos or online sports betting sites in New York. 

Who is in charge of regulating New York online gambling sites? 

There are no online casinos or online sports betting sites regulated by the State of New York. New York mobile sports betting was signed into law on April 19, 2021 as part of the fiscal year 2022 state budget. The NYSGC will be responsible for regulating mobile sports betting in New York. 

What is the difference between legal and illegal online gambling sites? 

Legal online gambling sites are regulated by the state or jurisdiction where a bet is placed. Illegal online gambling does not offer much, if any, security. Bets placed with illegal, unregulated sportsbooks is a good way to lose your bet early and often. 

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