With New York facing a $15 billion budget shortfall from the coronavirus pandemic, online sports betting is viewed as one possible way to inject much-needed money into the state. New Jersey legalized online wagers in 2018, and earlier this month, Governor Andrew Cuomo included an online professional sports betting plan in his executive budget proposal that he claimed would raise $500 million in revenue for the state.

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But many logistical hurdles remain. Cuomo’s proposal for legalization runs counter to what the Democratic supermajority in the state legislature is pitching. Some authorities are questioning the legality of the whole enterprise. And there are lingering concerns about gambling and addiction, particularly with the number of people sequestered at home and the opportunities that could be suddenly available to lose significant amounts of cash.

Mobile sports betting in New York is still a work in progress. There is clearly desire among the legislature to legalize and regulate online sports betting, but lawmakers have struggled to reach a consensus on how to approach the issue. In the meantime, online horse racing betting and daily fantasy sports serve as the next closest alternatives. “At a time when New York faces a historic budget deficit due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the current online sports wagering structure incentivizes a large segment of New York residents to travel out. This week, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York expressed that he is finally ready to move the state toward legalizing and regulating online sports betting. Sports betting operators are excited.

“I don’t see the governor’s proposal as workable in New York,” said Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, the chairman of the Committee on Racing and Wagering.

Right now, you can place horse racing bets on your smartphone through an app run by the not-for-profit corporation that oversees horse racing in New York’s three major tracks. Mobile betting for professional sports could theoretically function in a similar way. Currently, the servers for horse betting are located at the racetracks.

In both Cuomo and the legislature's proposals, the servers for mobile sports betting would be situated at places where bets are already taken, like casinos. The major overriding question is how many operators, or “skins,” as they are called in the industry, there will be, and who will get to profit.

Under Cuomo’s proposal, which still needs to be fleshed out further, the New York State Gaming Commission would be directed to solicit bids for a small number of mobile sports wagering operators. The system would be akin to how the state-run lottery functions, with possibly only one or a small number of operators overseeing sports betting. A single operator runs online sports betting in New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia. Overall, sports betting is now legal in more than two dozen states.

Robert Mujica, Cuomo’s budget director, said earlier this month that the advantage of the state proposal would be the ability to maximize tax revenue. “The fundamental question is: if you want to support the bottom line for casinos or New York’s students. And the governor’s proposal chooses students,” Mujica told the Wall Street Journal. (An identical statement was sent to Gothamist from Freeman Klopott, a budget spokesman for Cuomo.)

It’s not clear yet what Cuomo’s tax rate would be for his online betting model, though Mujica has asserted that it would be enough to raise $500 million a year. The state legislative proposal, co-sponsored by Pretlow and the chairman of the State Senate’s Racing and Wagering Committee, Joseph Addabbo, puts the number closer to $100 million annually.

At first glance, that would seem to make Cuomo’s proposal the better one, given the potential for serious state budget cuts without new forms of revenue. But lawmakers and some gambling industry insiders aren’t so sure. In New Jersey, which is generally viewed as a success given the number of people who place bets, there are as many as 17 legal online sportsbooks.

New York’s legislature is looking to take a similar approach, believing their proposal has a better opportunity for growth—more operators can lead to more options for consumers and more interest in placing bets. Addabbo calls his legislation “inclusive,” because it would also allow for Native American casinos, casinos on state property, and off-track betting sites to participate.

“Competition bodes better for our residents and will drive up revenues than being a narrow state-run lottery kind of system,” Addabbo argued. “New York finds itself in a very odd position not being a leader. We are outside looking in. New York right now is a three-wheeled car limping along in the right lane. New Jersey and Pennsylvania are speeding by us.”

Bennett Liebman is a government lawyer in residence at Albany Law School who previously advised Cuomo as the deputy secretary for Gaming and Racing. He said the difference between the two models is a question of what is being prioritized: more tax revenue, or a better model, long-term, for consumers and gambling interests?

“It all depends on what you want in your market. If you want what the governor is seeking, which the draft is very general, you are looking for maximum tax revenue, you will give it to one or two groups and you are going to tax them at a very high rate,” Liebman said. “If you are looking to create a robust market to help out casinos and consumers, then you go with, or you are more inclined to go with, the legislative plan.”

Liebman called the Cuomo administration’s $500 million revenue figure for online sports betting “very, very high,” and predicted a few operators would dominate the space in New York, like DraftKings and FanDuel have done in New Jersey. Casinos, racetracks, and online gambling in total generated a little more than $300 million in tax revenue for New Jersey in 2020.

Even if New York reached Cuomo’s projections—let alone the far smaller figure from the state legislature—online sports betting would represent only a minuscule fraction of a state budget that was $177 billion last year. One question hanging over the debate is whether the united front fighting for mobile sports betting in New York—the currently existing casinos, and operators like DraftKings and FanDuel—would crumble if only a small number of them were selected to make money from sports betting.

According to a constitutional amendment passed in 2013, sports wagering in New York is currently allowed only in physical portions of its four existing commercial casinos and other facilities operated by Indian tribes. Cuomo and supporters of online sports betting believe their proposal will meet the requirements of the state constitution by locating the servers for the betting websites at the physical casinos.

Neil Murray, an Albany attorney who has sued to oppose gambling in the state, said there was a “legitimate, serious question” about the constitutionality of online sports betting.

“The problem right now is the constitutional amendment that was passed several years ago does carve out exceptions for gambling at casinos. The operative word is ‘at’ and what does that mean?”

Murray argued the way the amendment was proposed—an economic stimulus for destination casinos that would prevent the proliferation of gambling statewide—contradicts the arguments made for mobile sports betting today. “If you allow online gambling and people can gamble from their living rooms, then of course that destroys the whole purpose on which gambling was authorized on a limited basis to begin with,” he said. “Everybody is counting on collective amnesia.”

Pretlow, the state assemblyman, contended that his bill met the requirements of the state constitution but Cuomo’s would not if it chose to operate like the state lottery. The lottery is regarded as a game of pure chance with no skill involved, allowing it to circumvent a longtime prohibition on gambling in the state.

New York Sports Betting Bill

“The lottery has to be 100 percent chance. The lottery is not gambling,” Pretlow said. “It’s flip a coin, heads or tails, nothing in the middle. I think if the lottery were to handle sports betting, it would lead to a constitutional question.”

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There are no federal restrictions standing in the way of sports betting in New York. As such, legal sports betting venues located at four upstate New York casinos as well as in a handful of tribal casinos are available for New York residents to bet on sports. There is also another legitimate avenue, as mobile betting within the state has yet to be legalized: online, offshore sportsbooks. These websites are safe and reliable because they operate in countries outside of US jurisdiction and are regulated by their home country.

Everything you need to know about New York sports betting is going to be right here on this page. We’ll talk about both land-based and online options, a background of the legal and political landscape, and which cities in New York you can find land-based sportsbooks. Included is also some useful information like what types of games you can wager on, how old you have to be to bet on sports in NY, and the limited betting restrictions.

Online Sportsbooks That Are Legal For New York Players

Now that we are living squarely in the digital age, there are hundreds (and maybe even thousands) of online sportsbooks that are legal for New York players. That being said, quantity doesn’t always equal quality. We have gone through many of these sites, tested them ourselves using our own money, and narrowed the many down to a select few. As such, we’re confident that our picks are the best of the best, and if you follow our recommendations, you don’t have to go through a bunch of junk just to come to the same conclusions that we did. So save some time, and bank on the fact that these sites are reliable, have great bonuses, sport incredible jackpots, and offer the best legal New York sports betting options anywhere on the Internet.

All sites listed below have wagers available for all New York area pro and college teams, but – like most US sportsbooks – they really specialize in NFL betting. Therefore, these are really good places to put money on the NY Giants, NY Jets, or Buffalo Bills.

BetDSI - Bonuses Each Time You Fund Your Account!

BetDSI may not be the biggest sportsbook on the Internet, but since when did you have to be the biggest to be the best? It’s all about what you bring to the table, and BetDSI knows how to deliver. They’ve got a solid reputation for competitive lines, fast service, and easy transactions. Want to bet on football at BetDSI? You’ll find the highest limits of any online, offshore sportsbook around for these games. Every Thursday, Sunday, and Monday night, the place to be is BetDSI.

First-time BetDSI customers can get a 100% New Member Bonus (worth up to $500) to put towards their sports betting wallet. Double the play, none of the extra effort – all you have to do is click a couple of buttons and the bonus will be immediately deposited into your account. BetDSI members are also automatically added to the site’s loyalty rewards program, called BetPoints. From the time you place your first bet onwards, you’ll immediately start earning cash back, so it’s basically like you’re getting paid to play! New York sports betting never felt so good!

Note: Bovada will begin accepting new players from New York!

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The Standstill Continues On New York Mobile Sports Betting

Sports Betting USA held a conference in NYC this past Tuesday where legal mobile sports betting for the state of New York was a topic. New York currently has four casinos in the upstate area where residents may wager on sporting events. Many legislators in the state are pushing for legalization as so many residents … Read more

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New York And Company

Is It Legal To Bet On Sports In New York?

It is legal to bet on sports in New York, thanks to a conditional referendum that was added to the state code back in 2013. In anticipation of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) being repealed, state lawmakers created an amendment to the gambling laws in the state. This amendment created four commercial casinos that would be allowed to operate sportsbooks, so long as there were no federal restrictions in the way.

Thus, when the Supreme Court finally repealed PASPA in May 2018, legal sports betting for New York residents became a reality. Despite their best efforts, lawmakers were not able to pass an expanded sports betting bill regarding mobile betting in 2018 or 2019. Without such expansion the state’s four upstate casino venues and the state’s tribal casinos are only able to accept wagers in person.

The good news is that online, offshore sportsbooks for New York residents are still completely legal, safe, secure alternatives. We recommend using well-established sites like Bovada, BetOnline, MyBookie, and/or SportsBetting. These sites have been operating in the Empire State for more than a decade each, and they boast a combined New York membership in the millions of users.

What Cities In New York Have Sportsbooks?

There are four cities that have sportsbooks in New York on the commercial casino end. These locations are spread throughout the upstate area, making the venture for New York City residents quite the trek. Still, options exist in the tribal casinos, but the upstate commercial casinos with sportsbooks in New York are located in Monticello, Nichols, Schenectady, and Waterloo.

Monticello, NY - Resorts World Catskills is the newest of the commercial gambling venues in NY, as it opened in February 2018. Fully equipped with a sports betting lounge and a fully trained sportsbook staff, the Monticello book is located just 90 minutes from NYC.

Nichols, NY - The Nichols sportsbook is further west, near the New York-Pennsylvania border. This venue – the Tioga Downs Casino Resort – has been providing residents and visitors with the best table games and slot options since its opening. It is also the only commercial casino with live and simulcast pari-mutuel wagering on-site.

Schenectady, NY - The Schenectady sportsbook is found at the Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady. This state-of-the-art resort offers a relaxing day spa and plenty of amenities to keep the whole family entertained. For residents in the eastern part of the state, this remains the most convenient land-based sports betting option in New York.

Waterloo, NY - If you live in the northern part of the Empire State, your best bet will be to visit the Waterloo sportsbook. There, you’ll find the Del Lago Resort & Casino, a stunningly beautiful venue in an even more picturesque location. When wagering on sports here, you’ll be able to join a rewards program that includes complimentary drink service and weekly jackpot giveaways.

New York Sports Betting & Gambling Laws

It used to be pretty tough trying to figure out the state of sports betting in New York. It required stumbling through civil statutes and the penal code to find out what was legal and what wasn’t. Then federal laws on the same topic had to be researched. However, things were made much easier in 2013 when NY lawmakers passed a referendum to the existing gambling laws in the state, called the Upstate New York Economic Gaming Development Act.

This act allowed for four commercial casinos to operate in the state aside from the tribal casinos as federal restrictions were lifted. Although construction on the casinos began right away, the sports betting portion of this bill remained inactive for the better part of five years, thanks to a federal ban called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). PASPA eliminated states’ abilities to operate their own sportsbooks (excepting Nevada) and was put into place by Congress in 1992.

This is the federal law that New Jersey fought all the way to the US Supreme Court and won the repeal in May 2018. On the grounds that it was unconstitutionally taking away states’ rights, the federal restriction was out of the way, making sports betting official legal in New York and ready for launch after the gaming regulations were approved. The first sportsbook in New York opened on July 16, 2019.

Current New York Sports Betting Proposals

As the law stands right now, there will be no mobile or online New York sports betting solutions available domestically. This has been the largest hot button topic for New York sports betting, as legislators are aware that the residents can get around this by using a reputable, safe offshore sports betting site or venture into New Jersey for their mobile betting outlets.

Because of the above restrictions, lawmakers are seeking to expand sports betting in NY via the introduction of new laws. They were not able to do so in the 2018 or 2019 legislative sessions, but progress has slowly been made. As developments and changes are made to the New York sports betting laws, we will update this network so that you remain in the know. In 2019 NY SB 17 was passed in the Senate during 2019 but didn’t garner enough support in the House. However, this is the format for mobile betting in New York that legislators are looking in to.

Legal Gambling Age For New York Residents

In the state of New York, you will have to be at least 21 in order to gamble on sports. This decision was made by lawmakers, so it’s a statewide requirement, and there are no exceptions. Offshore sports betting sites will take NY members who are at least 18, but since the state has an explicit sports betting age limit, you should defer to that before wagering over the Internet.

Mobile Sports Betting In New York

So, sports betting could be on its way to New York via state-sanctioned sportsbooks, but it is not there yet. New York-based sports bettors are best served at the moment by the online sportsbooks if they want to place bets on sports via mobile devices. The sites generally do not require apps and have instead designed their websites to provide users who navigate to them on mobile devices with a version of the website that provides a seamless mobile experience.

Land Based Gambling In New York

While only four commercial casinos can have sportsbooks according to the current state laws, there are over twenty casinos and racinos that offer a full range of land-based gambling in New York. These venues can be found all over the state, so you’re never far from some top-tier gaming action, regardless of where you happen to be. From Long Island and the Hudson Valley to the Finger Lakes and the North Country, gaming options abound.

Some of the most famous land-based casino venues in the state include the award-winning Turning Stone Resort & Casino, the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino, the Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack, the Empire City Casino, the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, and the Empire City Casino. And, of course, the previously mentioned upstate venues are right with them, as well.

Legal NFL Betting In New York

There are numerous sites that accept New York residents for legal NFL betting. Given the current lack of legal domestic sports betting sites, all of your NY wagering options are located overseas. Sites that are based offshore are considered legal NFL betting sites as they are regulated in their home countries and licensed to accept American bettors. This means that you can safely bet on the New York Giants or Jets (or Buffalo Bills) without leaving your home, all while still fully adhering to the law. New York does not criminalize individual resident bettors, regardless of where they place their wagers.

Local bookies, of course, are another matter, and since these operate in actual defiance of the law, it’s safer and better to stick with legitimate online books. Plus, you’ll get way more action and way better odds than any black market bookmaker can offer, and you’ll get to keep your kneecaps. It’s a win-win!

Legal College Football Betting In NY

Legal college football betting might be difficult to find at in-state sportsbooks once such services are rolled out, primarily because NCAA betting is such a hot-button issue. For example, neighboring New Jersey doesn’t allow its in-state collegiate clubs to receive action at local sportsbooks, nor does it allow any wagering on out-of-state teams that are playing within NJ’s borders. New York has followed the same regulations and prevents in-state collegiate wagering.

Because of this, we suggest heading to a sportsbook online, where you’re guaranteed to find a host of NCAA Division-I games covered, including those from NY. It doesn’t matter if you’re betting on the Syracuse Orange or betting against a team from Army, Columbia, or Cornell. No matter which local NY team you favor, you’re going to be far more likely to find more games, more teams, and more options at online, offshore sportsbooks that accept New York residents than you’ll ever find at any books inside the state.

FAQ About Online Sports Betting In New York

1) Where can I find the text of the state laws mentioned on this page?

To peruse the 2013 Upstate New York Gaming Economic Development Act, you can visit the official law history here. You can read about NY gambling offenses here, and you can browse the pari-mutuel laws of NY here. Sports wagering is referenced specifically under the latter section in Article 13, Title 8.

2) What about the other New York state laws? Where can I find them?

Visit the state assembly's website and keyword search “gambling”. You’ll be brought to a listing of each year’s civil and penal codes. You’ll be able to find everything, as it has been written and amended throughout the years there. For the Consolidated Laws of New York, you can visit the official page here.

3) Does Bovada Welcome Players From New York State?

As of 2019, Bovada once again accepts players from New York! It remains to be seen whether or not this means that Bovada will accept players from the four other barred states (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Nevada).

4) If not authorized by the state, how do I know these offshore sites are legitimate?

Each of the sites listed on this page is regulated, licensed, and kept in check by their own home governments. In addition, we have personally tested the sites we recommend for quality control and fairness standards, and each exceeds our expectations (and continue to do so). These sites are run under the supervision of government-authorized gaming commissions and are housed in places like the UK, Costa Rica, and Panama.

5) Has any New York resident been arrested for gambling on sports over the Internet?

No. New York residents have nothing to fear when it comes to putting a few dollars down on the weekend's games. A problem arises when New York residents try to operate their own sports betting operations, as unlicensed bookmaking is unambiguously against the law. However, individual sports bettors have not been criminalized for placing wagers over the Internet at offshore sports betting sites.

6) Is it safe to deposit with a credit card into these betting sites?

Yes, your credit card information is totally safe with the sites we recommend. They use industry-leading security measures, and they never sell any of your personal information to third parties. For added security, these services all accept cryptocurrency, as well. You can wager at these offshore books with full peace of mind!

7) If the UIGEA makes it illegal to process financial transactions, how can I legally deposit or withdraw from my betting site?

The UIGEA only makes it illegal for domestic (i.e. US-based) banks, payment processors, and gambling sites to knowingly process payments related to gaming. As with any other law, however, the UIGEA does not have jurisdiction over gambling sites that are operating overseas. If your credit or debit card is rejected during the sportsbook deposit process, don’t worry. You have not been flagged, you aren’t in trouble, and your card will still work for other purchases. If this ever happens, simply try a different card or cut the banks out of the transaction altogether by using Bitcoin or another supported cryptocurrency.

8) Do taxes need to be paid on my winnings?

Any federal taxes must be paid on all sources of income, including online gambling winnings. You can get all the information you need to include this information in your federal income taxes here. As NY has a state income tax, you will also need to claim your winnings in accordance with local recordkeeping laws.

9) If I pay my taxes, won't the government know I was gambling on sports on the Internet?

New York Online Sports Gambling

Due to the autonomy of the IRS, your information will be kept safe. And even then, what you are doing is not a crime to begin with, so there’s no need to worry. As long as Uncle Sam gets his cut of your winnings, he won’t complain.

New York Times Online

10) How fast can I get my winnings from these gambling sites?

None of our top recommended gambling sites will take more than a week or two to get you your winnings, and payouts are typically much faster than that. Everything depends on the payout method you choose and the amount that has to be processed. As a general rule, for same-day payouts, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are the way to go. If you opt for a courier check, money order, or bank transfer, however, you can expect to wait a week or so in most cases.