New York Sports Betting: Best Legal Sportsbooks

Is online sports betting legal in New York?

Yes. New York first allowed in-person sports wagering at its four upstate commercial casinos in 2019, but the big change came on 8 January 2022, when mobile betting launched statewide. Within months it had become the largest sports betting market in the country by handle, a position it has held for most of the period since.

The New York State Gaming Commission regulates the market. You must be 21 or older to bet, and you must be physically located within New York State when you place a wager, whether you are in Manhattan, Buffalo or the Adirondacks.

How New York's licensing model affects bettors

When New York designed its mobile market, it opted for a limited number of licences in exchange for a tax rate of 51 per cent on operator revenue, among the highest in the country. The state collects substantial revenue from this approach, much of it directed to education. For bettors, the trade-off can show up in less generous promotions and slightly tighter odds than in neighbouring states. That makes it more important than ever to compare prices between the licensed apps you do have access to, rather than settling on one sportsbook out of habit.

New York sports betting sites we review

Of the three US sportsbooks we rank, BetMGM and BetRivers hold New York licences. bet365 is not listed for New York on this site, so it does not appear in our New York rankings. New York chose a limited-licence model with a very high tax rate on operator revenue, which is one reason the number of available apps is smaller than in neighbouring New Jersey.

Geolocation is strict. Commuters from New Jersey or Connecticut can use a New York account while they are in the city, but the app will refuse bets once they cross back over the state line, and vice versa.

• Regulator: New York State Gaming Commission
• Online launch: 8 January 2022
• Minimum age: 21
• Licensed brands we rank: BetMGM, BetRivers

College betting restrictions

New York bans wagering on in-state college teams, so games involving schools such as Syracuse, St. John's or Army cannot be bet through a New York sportsbook. Betting on out-of-state college games remains permitted, although the exact markets available can vary by sportsbook.

Winnings are taxable income for New York State purposes, and New York City residents may owe city income tax as well. Keep a record of wins and losses so you are prepared at tax time.

Two teams in almost every sport

Giants and Jets, Yankees and Mets, Knicks and Nets, Rangers, Islanders and Sabres: few states give bettors as many local rivalries, and the Bills in Buffalo command a following of their own. With that much action, limits matter. New York's HOPEline (1-877-8-HOPENY, or text HOPENY to 467369) offers free, confidential support at any hour, and the Gaming Commission runs a self-exclusion programme.