Sports Betting in New York (2023)

New York Sports Betting (2023)

New York sports betting is officially live. Currently, NY bettors can now create betting accounts with top sports wagering brands operating within the state's boundary and explore the available betting markets. New betting operators offer exciting bonus offers with free bets, deposit matches, and free betting credits for players to kickstart their adventure. 

The history surrounding online gambling in NY is fascinating. One would think it would take forever to be actualized. Essentially, the first Bill regarding the legality of sports betting was passed in 2013. In 2018, the NY mobile sportsbook bill did not pass the committee phase as both the Senate and the Assembly chose to overlook it. 

This was the story till 2019 when the Bill went past the NY Senate but not the Assembly. The lagging continued through to 2020 as the pandemic was a primary concern; the Bill was not given a thought. However, a significant milestone was achieved in 2021 when Gov. Cuomo signed the bill. This was pretty easy because the Bill was included in the state budget bill. 

Essentially, mobile online sports betting took off in January 2022. The approval opened the doors to nine top-rated sportsbooks such as DraftKings, Fanduel, etc. DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, and BetRivers (Rush Street Interactive) were the first sportsbooks to the state for a license. Five other sportsbooks are yet to be launched but already have their license. 

Now, NY residents have no reason to leave their homes if they don’t want to. They can now enjoy betting on their favorite sports/teams, adding extra spice to watching them. This is why you can see the glow in the Big Apple state. Here, we will guide you on the available betting markets, legal sportsbook operators, NY sports betting laws, and many more. Let’s begin.

New York Sports Betting Laws

The final regulation to structure the legalized sports betting product was approved by the New York State Gaming Commission in June 2019. These regulations were vital to the casinos and their partners to carry out sports betting activities. Here are the NY sports betting laws: 

• The tax rate for mobile sports betting is set at 12%
• The Commission is charged with the right to approve sporting events for wagering. Wagering on NY College teams or events, CS:GO, political outcome, etc., are not permitted. 
• The NYS Gaming Commission has the right to carry out a periodic examination of operators' financial and accounting records. 
• The Commission can conduct reviews on accounting procedures and principles used by operators.
• Gambling operators must comply with self-exclusion, problem gambling, and excluded person requirements.
• Sports betting operators are to allow, before commencing operations, a system security and integrity assessment. After the operations begin, this would be an annual check.
• Gaming operators are to report promptly if requested by any member of the Commission. 
• No persons in the Empire State under 21 are permitted to participate in sports wagering. 
• Prohibited persons cannot place wagers or take wins from such wagers.
• Minimum and maximum wagers are to be set and disclosed by sportsbooks. 
• Payout and wagers above $10,000 are subject to; requiring the SSN of the patron, recording the patron on a Patron identification file, and the date, and signature of the patron. Also, the name and signature of the employee accepting the wager should be recorded, etc.
• Winning tickets have a duration of one year before it expires.

With these laws governing online sports betting, it is easier to understand that the product is legal and regulated within the state. In addition, online sportsbooks are also legal and licensed to offer New Yorkers bettor their services.

NY Sports Betting Governing Body 

The New York State Gaming Commission is responsible for overseeing sports betting activities. The Commission makes sure all gaming activities are of the highest integrity, quality, and credibility, serving the best interest of the betting public, gaming industry, NY taxpayers, etc. Succinctly, NYS Gaming Commission is charged with: 

• Regulation and licensing of all gaming in NY state 
• Promoting responsible gaming 
• Promotion and operation of the NY Lottery 

NYS Gaming Commission ensures that stakeholders, bettors, etc., are treated responsibly and equitably via various regulatory functions. The regulatory structure provided by the Commission is necessary for a global, expanding, and competitive gambling sphere, which would create revenue. This revenue serves as an aid to education support for the government, and it contributes to job creation and the economic development of the state. 

The Commission was created in February 2013 and comprised six members and an executive director, Robert Williams. 

Why You Should Choose Legal Online Sportsbooks

Now that sports betting has been legalized in New York, the battle of where to place bets has to be fought correctly. While surfing the net, you would come across several sites with pleasant promotions and rewards. Generally, bonuses are incentives used to lure bettors to signup. 

We recommend you choose legal online sportsbooks, and there are several reasons for this. One of such reasons is that you would be betting with a real, legal, and licensed operator. An operator licensed by the NYS Gaming Commission would always treat you with fairness to avoid being punished by the Commission. 

Furthermore, with a legal online sportsbook, you are guaranteed cash out, the safety of personal details, odds boost, enhanced odds, genuine promotions, and rewards. On the other hand, illegal offshore sites make promises but do not have a track record of positive results to back such claims. These sites are not licensed by any known regulatory body, there is every tendency for them to run off with your money, and you have no way to reach out to them. Why take all that risk?

If you stick with legal sportsbooks within NY, the NYS Gaming Commission could resolve any gaming issue that you feel was not appropriately handled by your preferred bookie. Also, we can guarantee you an excellent gambling space due to the intense competition among legal sportsbooks in the state. Let’s check out the best sportsbooks available in NY.

NY Best Online Sportsbooks 

Online sports betting is live in NY. Bettors have begun placing bets on their favorite teams/sports via top-rated betting apps in New York. DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetRivers were launched on January 17, 2021.

All in all, we have a total of 9 sportsbooks that will be operational in the state. However, five out of nine are now active. Here is a quick review of these top-rated operators. 

Draftkings - 9.3/10

DraftKings partners with Del Lago Resort & Casino to offer punters one of the best gaming services in New York. At Del Lago, punters get to place in-person bets. The betting operator also partnered with FanDuel’s winning bid to enter the state betting market. If you need a sportsbook operator for the long term, DraftKings would meet and go over any standard you have.  

DraftKings is well known in NY, preferably for its DFS prominence or the Del Lago Resort & Casino betting establishment. The sportsbook has a user-friendly app that has a centralized record. Players don’t have to download another state-specific app when they go across state lines. The app is adequately optimized to ease your betting adventure. Everything you need is put in its practical and straightforward design, and betting markets are laid out clearly. 

The browsing side of the app has the bet slip seamlessly woven into it. You can find it easy to add bets to your slip. Newbies registered on DraftKings are eligible for a welcome bonus. The welcome bonus is a deposit match with additional free cash on your first deposit. Existing customers get several rewards and promotions. All in all, DraftKings gets you the best betting experience in New York. 

Caesars Sportsbook - 9.1/10

Caesars sportsbook is a re-brand and re-design of William Hill. Acquiring the betting operator gave them significant leverage into the betting space in North America. In New York, the betting operator needs no introduction. There is already a retail version of the brand at Point place, Turning Stone, and Yellow Brick Road. The mobile and app version has an unmatched betting experience regardless of your devices, Android, iOS, or desktop. 

Caesars sportsbook boasts of exciting rewards and promotions. Users are eligible for a monthly free bet and also on their birthdays. These offers are essential to encourage continued gaming. The minimum amount that can be deposited is $10. Perhaps something goes wrong or awry, players can quickly contact customer support. Players have about four channels to get through, including a phone option. 

Caesars sportsbook has a firm grip on its odds pricing and support. Essentially, the boosted odds and its odds pricing are elite. Straight bets, total lines, money lines, futures bets, prop bets, teasers, and round-robin are available sports bets. If you are a fan of live betting, perhaps you love the action thrills, Caesars has some of its biggest games available for users to place live bets. 

FanDuel - 9.1/10

Generally, FanDuel is one of the biggest brands in the sports betting space in the US. The brand is similar to DraftKings, and both are prominent for Daily Fantasy Sports before expanding into the sports betting space. FanDuel is known for its superb welcome bonus and excellent app available for iOS and Windows. 

FanDuel is an official partner of the NFL and Genius Sports, and this gives them the leverage to provide players with exclusive data and content from Next Gen Stats. Talk about NBABet, and they recently upgraded their ongoing partnership with the NBA, which is great for users to find FanDuel’s live odds regarding NBABet. Another partnership they leverage is with the Buffalo Bills, giving them access to many media assets. 

User experience is a top-tier, clean, orderly interface with easy navigation optics. You can find games, leagues, and betting options quickly. Also, the bet slip populates constructively. 

The betting operator is no joker when it comes to the security of its users. Every player’s personal and financial information is protected by a talented team of security specialists and engineers. Customer support can be reached via email or live chat. Most users prefer the option of live chat because it is faster and quicker. 

BetRivers - 9/10

BetRIvers is the betting arm of the famous Rush Street Interactive and is one of the first sportsbooks launched in NY. The betting operator has a huge following due to its generous bonuses, live betting feature, attractive odds, etc. Desktop users would find the simple navigation and other features impressive. Its app can easily be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices. 

Beyond the live betting features that most users would find attractive, other features include odds boost, cash-out option, same game parlay, jackpot parlays. Everything is fused to give users an excellent betting experience. Banking options are pretty limited, but we observed that the available payment gateways were top-rated and 100% secure. Withdrawals are super fast; however, it is also what channel you select. Play+ card is always immediately.  

The playthrough requirement of the welcome bonus is 1X, and this makes it easy for players to accept and quickly cash out their wins. BetRivers also offer a profit boost promo for its customers. As a beginner, BetRivers is a great platform to begin. You can navigate easily and place bets such as straight bets, total lines, moneylines, prop bets, future bets, parlay bets, etc. 

BetMGM - 9/10

The BetMGM sportsbook operator is an MGM Resorts International combining effort with GVC Holdings. Due to the great pool of resources and expertise in gambling and entertainment, they quickly made a mark in the US market. They have a betting license from the NYS Gaming Commission, and New York bettors can now enjoy a quality betting experience with the brand. 

The betting brand is excellent for new players. Newbies get risk-free bets up to a certain amount to get started. All you have to do is create an account using the promo code, make a deposit and place the bet. Other exciting bonuses are the 20% parlay boost token, NY NBA bonuses, one-game parlays weekly, etc. 

BetMGM has a high-quality user experience. Sports bets can be placed quickly and easily. Once you click on a game, it automatically adds to your bet slip, making it easy for you. Some easy bets avaIlable for punters are the straight bets, total lines, future bets, parlay bets, prop bets, etc. 

Bettors can use the “Live” feature by clicking on the icon at the top of the page. It displays what in-play options are available at the moment. Usually, premium sports options include football, basketball, hockey, baseball, table tennis, tennis, soccer, snooker, cricket, and much more. 

PointsBet 

PointsBet NY is coming soon. The Australian sportsbook brand is an international brand with a huge success story in the US market. Operations are set to give the brand a New York. Generally, the sportsbook is known for its frequent odds boosts and creative betting opportunities. If you are looking for an innovative betting option, PointsBet has got you covered. 

Here is an exciting aspect of the brand. The minimum deposit allowed is $5 compared to other sportsbooks, whose minimum is $10. In addition, deposits can be made via debit cards, credit cards, checks, PayPal, and online banking. Funds can also be withdrawn with the same deposit methods. 

Players are eligible to engage in betting contests and tournaments, and these contests are usually odds boosted for users to win more. Interestingly, bettors who lost a bet can get the bad beat index, allowing them to make a comeback after a loss. In essence, PointsBet would offer them up to $100 if the bead was really bad. 

PointsBet NY makes use of top-rated encryption software to keep the details of players intact and away from third parties. All grounds are covered to safe players’ information from getting to the public. Their webpage has a problem gaming hotline for players who cannot control their activities. PointsBet wants players to get entertained and not addicts. 

WynnBet

WynnBet NY is also a sportsbook brand coming soon to NY bettors. The removal of the PASPA act in 2018 allowed the brand to get into the US betting market. With sports betting being legal in NY, the brand is set to make an appearance in the Empire States. Potential users will experience a brand with a quick and intuitive user interface coupled with lots of betting markets to explore. 

The sportsbook offers an excellent rewards program, and players can have their earned points converted into additional free bets with the rewards store. The odd pricing is fantastic, you can compare it with other gaming brands and find it competitive, and its bet slip is usable. Real live agents are available in addition to other customer support forms, and WynnBet is determined to sort out any issues you may encounter much quicker. 

Although terms and conditions surround it, WynnBet offers a straightforward, risk-free bet as a welcome bonus for newbies. Players get refunded a single free bet of the same value if they lose the bet. Also, players have to be 21 years old or more and located within state borders to explore this polished betting site.

Bally Bet 

Bally Bet is very popular among casino enthusiasts but has been known to conquer the betting space in the US. This betting brand is new to the US betting market, coming on board in May 2021, and would also be new to NY bettors when they finally launch this year. Technically, they do have a winning bid which already gives them access. The betting app is highly intuitive and user-friendly. 

We cannot categorically explain everything Bally Bet has for NY bettors. Still, we can check out their previous performance in other states, New Jersey and Iowa, and have a glimpse of how they perform. Users have a great mixture of sports to explore, such as football, basketball, soccer, hockey, tennis, cycling, motor racing, and many other premium sports. 

Parlays, teasers, moneylines, futures, live bets, props, totals, and points spreads are some types of bets users can make at Bally Bet. We expect these bet types to be available to New Yorkers, and a live betting option is also available. Banking methods are top class. Not all banking gateways are available, but you get to find trusted and secure channels. 

Resort World 

Resort World is set to make a debut in the NY betting space in the coming months. Although the brand is not very popular, the multiple Resorts World properties speak much about their history and strength. The app is easy to use and very convenient, and it is designed to make users place bets faster and precisely. Every sport available is in alphabetical order. 

Similar to its online platform in Nevada, we believe the same organization, structure, and rewards would be brought to New York. Betting is a priority for the sportsbook, and the odds are pretty solid when crosschecked with other bookies. 

How We Review NY Sportsbooks

We don’t make a compilation based on our feelings, ideas, or preferences for the record. There are factors or criteria we consider before we include these operators on our list. For us, these factors make our judgment precise and accurate for our readers to make informed decisions. Here are some criteria we consider in our ratings:

License 

No sportsbook will make our list if they are not licensed. This is the first factor we consider because we understand the risk involved in doing business with an unregistered or unlicensed bookie. We ensure every sportsbook is licensed and regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission before considering them fit for our reader or even beginning with our ratings. 

Payment Methods 

A sportsbook doesn't need to have all payment gateways. Ideally, there are a few bookies with every payment method available. However, we give sportsbooks with safe and secure payment channels many points in our rating. Funding a betting account is a vital aspect of sports betting, and without funding, players cannot play for real money.

Betting markets 

Sportsbooks with a comprehensive collection of betting/sports markets are always the favorite. Coverage of premium sports like soccer, football, basketball, baseball, etc., is excellent, but the sportsbook must also have minor games such as swimmings crickets available. This is ideal for players who love to explore the betting sphere and do a review on the site. 

High Betting Odds 

Generally, odds are either competitive or below average. Sportsbooks with competitive odds are great for our ratings. The odds are vital as they contribute to how much a player can go home. Some betting operators have odds boosted or enhanced odds features available. We have seen a trend of players always searching for bookies with better odds. 

Mobile/App Experience 

Online sports betting is done with either a desktop or mobile devices. The user experience on either device depends on the design, interface, themes, colors, and performance of the sportsbook. We register on each sportsbook and check out the performance on both desktop and mobile devices, and then we rate them on how convenient they were.

Most sports betting apps have a smooth progression without glitches; others have a couple of sets back that would be sorted out in an upgrade. Generally, using sportsbook apps provides convenience, and Bettors can place bets on the go. 

Customer Support 

We give more points to sportsbooks with various forms of customer support. Operators must develop a channel for users to reach out to in the case of an emergency. Most times, options include live chat, email, phone number, etc. We always suggest players use live chat because it is always available. 

Bonuses and Promotions  

Sportsbooks make use of bonuses as an incentive to drive in massive traffic. Welcome bonus offers are promotional offers for new players to get started. Most times, it is a risk-free bet offer.

No deposit free bets, reload, match, and free bets are also available for new punters. Existing players also have several promotions, loyalty programs, and rewards to keep them active. 

Live Streaming 

This feature is an innovation due to technology. This is ideal for players who enjoy live streaming the event while placing their bets. Often, for sportsbooks that support this, live betting is also supported. However, live streaming is focused on premium sports such as football, soccer, basketball, and many others. 

This feature is easy to locate and use. Most times, the icon is found at the top corner of the app. Users don’t have to pay for this service. In addition, bettors can make better decisions regarding their sports bets while using the live streaming feature.