New York Betting Sites

Do you have questions about sports betting in New York? Our guide is here to help! 

On this page we’ll explain the ins and outs of betting, both online and in-person, and direct you towards some of New York’s best betting sites. You’ll also learn more about the history of sports betting legislation in New York, as well as the most popular sports, betting lines and payment methods. Finally, we’ll reveal the three best mobile betting apps in the Empire State.

All set? Then let’s go!

Our Top New York Sports Betting Sites - September 2023

Is Online Betting Legal in New York?

Yes, all forms of sports betting are allowed in New York, as long as you’re 21 years of age. The legal history dates back to November 2013, when voters approved the New York Casino Gambling Amendment, Proposal 1. This theoretically permitted in-person betting within New York State, despite the fact that it was banned at the federal level.

When the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned in May 2018, individual states could determine their own betting laws. And since New York had already voted on sports betting, lawmakers just needed to establish a legal framework. This arrived in June 2019, along with the first sportsbooks, which opened inside tribal casinos.

Passing online betting legislation was a little trickier, however. It took until April 2021 for Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill into law which permitted the operation of mobile sportsbooks. The finishing tweaks to the existing regulatory framework were made in November, with the first online sportsbooks arriving in January 2022. However, no legislation exists for online casinos and these remain illegal.

Popular Sports to Bet on in New York

Since the legalization of sportsbooks in the Empire State, what have we learned about the betting habits of New Yorkers? Let’s take a look at the most popular sports for betting in NY.

NFL

As the country’s most popular sport, it’s understandable that football tops this list. After all, placing a bet is a great way to enhance your enjoyment while watching the big game. What’s more, New York possesses not one, but two NFL franchises. And like most fans, supporters of both the Giants and the Jets like to back their teams with a wager every now and then.

NBA

Basketball is the second most-watched sport across the United States, a trend that is reflected in the state of New York. Just like in the NFL, New York City — affectionately referred to as the ‘Mecca’ of basketball — has two major franchises. The New York Knicks may not have won an NBA championship since the 1970s, but they remain a historic and culturally significant team. In addition, the New Jersey Nets relocated to Brooklyn in 2012, and their roster has since featured big name stars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. 

MLB

Online sportsbooks in New York consistently handle between $1.3 and $1.8 billion dollars every single month, and a significant proportion of these bets are placed on baseball games, specifically MLB. There should be no surprise that this sport is so popular with New Yorkers though, given the existence of both the Mets and the Yankees. Especially the latter, since it is, by far, the most successful MLB franchise in history.

NHL

New Yorkers are obsessed with sports, and make no exception for ice hockey. Just like the country’s other major sporting organizations, the Empire State boasts two NHL franchises in the Islanders and the Rangers. The two teams have eight Stanley Cups between them and regularly draw crowds of 16,000 to 20,000 spectators each. As such, you’ll find NHL betting options at all the top-rated New York betting sites.

Horse Racing

The sport of kings may not be as popular as in its heyday, but major race meetings continue to draw six-figure crowds. And New York certainly knows a thing or two about big races. Saratoga Race Course, for instance, is home to the Travers Stakes, with a $1.25 million purse. While Belmont Park, in Elmont, NY, hosts the second leg of the USA’s Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes.

Betting Markets Available in New York

Now that we know which sports are the most prevalent, let’s take a closer look at the types of bet. The following lines always prove the most popular with bettors in New York.

Moneyline

The moneyline is one of the three most common betting markets found at any US sportsbook, not only in New York. Its popularity lies mostly in the simplicity, since all you need to do is guess which team will win the game. 

Moneyline odds reflect the relative chances of each outcome, with no need to factor in handicaps or anything else. Negative odds indicate a favorite, while positive odds imply an underdog.

Parlay

A parlay is a combination of at least two distinct wagers. Instead of betting each selection individually, parlaying them means that all of them must win. If just one of them lets you down, you lose the entire bet. 

Of course, since this makes it much harder to win, the potential payout is far greater. And therein lies the popularity, since it becomes possible to turn a few cents into a sizable sum by adding additional legs.

Over/Under

Sometimes referred to as Totals, Over/Under markets are popular with stats lovers. The bookmaker sets a theoretical line and you predict whether the real outcome will be higher or lower. 

For example, imagine an NBA game with a 204.5 line for total points. At the end of the game, the combined scores are added together. If the final score is 101-103, that’s a total of 204 points, which means that ‘Under’ bets are winners.

Against The Spread

Since sporting contests often feature one participant that is much more likely to win, the moneyline odds can be heavily skewed. It’s often unattractive to bet at short odds with a small potential payoff, or at large odds where you’re not likely to win. That’s why the bookies created the handicap spread. 

One side is given a points head start, to even up the odds. Betting ‘Against The Spread’ (ATS) means that you are backing the underdog to cover the handicap. For instance, let’s say the NY Jets are +3.5 on the spread. They can lose the game by up to 3 points and your bet would still win.

Betting Apps Available in New York

Most online sportsbooks in New York focus on mobile betting, either through a browser or a native app. These easy-to-use and intuitive apps can be downloaded on all modern smartphone and tablet devices, giving you easy access to the latest odds.

Regardless of your chosen betting app, there are many common features shared by all major bookmakers. A classic example is live betting, which means you can continue betting once an event has started. There’s also early cash out, allowing you to sell a bet for a profit before the game is over. More recently, Same Game Parlay has become a popular feature, giving you the chance to combine related events from the same game.

Here are some of the best betting apps available in New York, which offer all of these features alongside a range of other benefits.

FanDuel

Ranked the number one mobile sports betting app in the country, it’s not difficult to see why New York bettors love FanDuel. A crisp and clean interface makes it super simple to place your bets. But best of all, the odds are some of the biggest of any US bookmaker. As if all that weren’t enough, new customers receive a free bet of up to $1,000 if their first real money wager loses.

BetMGM

Another huge name in the world of US gambling, MGM combines with sports betting giants Entain to provide a world-class betting app. Packed with more sports and lines than the majority of other mobile sportsbooks in New York, there’s truly something for everyone to bet on. The odds are competitive, the promotions generous and there are a number of safe and secure banking options to choose from.

Caesars

In addition to creating an extremely slick mobile betting app, Caesars has one of the best loyalty programs in the business. Earn Caesars Rewards points for every bet placed, which can be exchanged for all kinds of goodies, from sports tickets to VIP dining experiences. What’s more, all of that comes in addition to the huge odds available on dozens of sports, plus the massive $1,250 welcome bonus.

Payment Methods Available at New York Betting Sites

If you want to place an online bet in New York, you’re going to need to fund your sportsbook account. That’s why the best betting apps make sure you have access to a vast selection of secure, reliable and fast payment methods. Here are some of the most popular with bettors in the Empire State.

Bank Cards

Everyone has some kind of bank card in their wallet these days, whether it’s Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express. The process of depositing is quick and easy, while these reputable brands are some of the most experienced and trustworthy payment processors in the business.

e-Wallets

If you’re a regular bettor, you probably want to keep your bankroll separate from your day to day funds. E-wallets are a great way to do this, acting as an intermediary between your bank account and the sportsbook. Deposits are usually instant when using the likes of PayPal and Skrill, and withdrawals tend to be quicker than bank cards.

Prepaid Cards

Alongside prepaid card services like Paysafecard, an increasing number of mobile sportsbooks in New York now offer their own branded prepaid cards. These usually come with perks like higher deposit limits or instant withdrawals, and you can then use them to withdraw cash from an ATM. They’re also handy for anyone struggling to keep their gambling under control, because, unlike a regular bank card, you can only spend the credit that’s been pre-loaded.

Wire Transfer

Bank wires are not the quickest way to deposit and withdraw at an online sportsbook. But they do offer a certain peace of mind, especially when dealing with large sums of money. Different sportsbooks take different approaches, with some using ACH and e-checks, while others prefer direct bank transfers.

New York Betting Timeline

Here’s a timeline of events covering the key milestones in the evolution of New York’s online sports betting history. 

• November 2013: Voters approve the New York Casino Gambling Amendment, Proposal 1, which theoretically allows sports betting in the state.
• May 2018: The Supreme Court repeals PASPA, meaning US states can now dictate their own betting laws.
• June 2019: A retail sports betting framework is established and the first in-person sportsbooks appear.
• April 2021: Governor Andrew Cuomo signs the bill which legalizes mobile betting in New York.
• November 2021: NYS Gaming Commission finalizes the regulatory framework for online betting.
• January 2022: The first mobile sportsbooks launch in New York.

Compare New York Betting Sites and Sign Up

Having learned all about the state of sports betting in New York, you should be more than ready to get started. The next step is to compare our top-rated New York betting sites and decide which is the right one for you. 

Stay informed with our detailed reviews that provide in-depth analysis of the various betting opportunities and payment methods on offer, as well as keeping you up-to-date on the latest bonuses.

Frequently Asked Questions