Law explained
Updated
Independent desk. Figures are traced to named sources and corrections are logged — see the editorial policy.
Mobile sports wagering in New York launched in January 2022 under the State Gaming Commission. The age is 21 and the tax rate is the highest in the country.
New York legalised mobile sports betting by statute in 2021, and the first licensed operators went live on January 8, 2022. The framework differs from the one in many other states, which license operators individually through their casinos. Here is how the New York system is built.
Who regulates it
The New York State Gaming Commission licenses and supervises every operator and platform provider. It sets the technical standards, approves the types of wagers that can be offered and enforces the rules on advertising.
Who may bet
A bettor must be 21 or older and physically located in New York State at the time of the wager. Location is verified by the operator's app. Employees of leagues and athletes are barred from betting on their own sport.
How the operators were chosen
Instead of letting each casino partner with a brand, New York ran a competitive selection for a small number of mobile licences. The result was a handful of operators that serve the whole state, instead of dozens of local brands.
What the state takes
New York taxes mobile sports betting at 51 percent of gross gaming revenue, which is the amount staked by bettors minus winnings paid out. That is the highest rate among states with legal betting, and the Commission publishes revenue and handle figures weekly.
What cannot be bet on
New York prohibits wagers on high school sports and on college games involving New York colleges, with narrow exceptions for tournaments. Prop wagers on individual college players are also prohibited. The list is set in statute and the rules of the Commission.
If you need help
The Gaming Commission lists problem-gambling resources on its website, and the state operates a statewide helpline for anyone who feels that betting is becoming a problem.