Quick facts about NY online sportsbooks
- New York legalized online sportsbooks in 2021.
- NY sportsbooks are licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC).
- Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings are the best New York sportsbooks.
A history of sports gambling in New York
Based on my research, New York began its journey to legalize sports gambling in 2013. That year, lawmakers moved the needle with Proposal 1, a constitutional amendment that authorized up to seven commercial casinos to offer sports betting. However, it was pending federal approval. The go-ahead finally came in 2018, when the Supreme Court ruled on the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Personally, I was thrilled about the news at the time. For context, the law had kept sports gambling under wraps for decades.
Following the ruling, New York officially legalized sports gambling in July 2019. For online betting, however, 2021 was the game-changer. The then-Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a landmark bill, and sportsbook apps launched in January 2022. That was around the same time Arizona sportsbooks went live, so you can see the significance of that date.
With the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) in charge, the market kept growing strong. However, a 51% sportsbook tax makes it one of the priciest in the US. Still, that isn’t bad for a lot of bettors out there, especially with the betting scene now in full bloom for everyone to enjoy.
My top 4 New York sportsbooks
Let’s cut to the chase and get to the main reason you’re here. Here’s a closer look at my best four NY sportsbooks and why they merit a spot on my list:
Caesars — Best for Profit Boosts
Caesars Sport In A Nutshell
On the Caesars app, the welcome bonus gives you higher payouts on your first 20 wagers after registration. I snagged this deal with just a $1 minimum initial bet. Immediately after submitting the slip, the NY sportsbook added 20 Profit Boosts at 100% each to my account. The max is $25 per boost.
When I began betting, I spotted all the top US and international sports leagues on the Caesars app. Plus, the odds are quite competitive as well. My calculations show fees of under 5% for popular games, meaning potential 95.5% payouts and above. There’s also the Rewards Credit feature on the site, which I loved to use in every bet. As I racked them up, I redeemed the credits for bonus bets and even off-site perks like shopping and hotel stays.
BetMGM — Best for referral program
BetMGM Sport In A Nutshell
How To Sign Up
- Begin Registration: Click the gold ‘Sign Up’ button on the top right of the homepage.
- Enter your personal details including your email, address, mobile number, and SSN digits.
- Click “Send me a code” to verify your phone number and pre-fill some details automatically.
- Complete Registration: Click the gold ‘Complete registration’ button at the bottom of the form to finish the sign-up process.
BONUS
Claim Bonus
Next on my list of top betting sites in New York is the giant BetMGM. There’s a lot to say about this sportsbook, but I’ll focus on its referral program. If you invite your pal to join BetMGM, you both score a $100 bonus. I started by sending out a few Refer A Friend invites. Once my buddies signed up, got verified, and hit the basic wagering requirement, the $100 bonus was immediately rewarded. The requirement is to deposit and settle at least $100 in wagers at minimum -200 odds.
While reviewing BetMGM NY, I was also impressed by the smooth mobile app. The dark theme with golden accents feels premium, and the bottom menu keeps all my bets and rewards in one place.
FanDuel — Best for live betting
FanDuel Sportsbook In A Nutshell
How To Sign Up
- Click the green ‘Join’ button at the top right of the homepage.
- Select your state/location and enter your email address, create a username, and set a password.
- Provide personal details, including full name, date of birth, and home address.
- Enter your phone number and the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) for identity verification.
- Agree to the terms and conditions, confirm you are of legal age, and complete any additional verification steps.
- Click the ‘Create Account’ button to finalize your registration.
BONUS
Claim Bonus
FanDuel is hard to beat when it comes to wagering on live games. I give the brand full points because the in-play betting interface is clean and easy to use. It features a white background with the number of active games highlighted in a red circle, so you never miss a play.
I mainly placed NBA live bets using the FanDuel Sportsbook app. Key markets like moneyline, totals, spreads, halves, quarters, and margins were all available, and there’s even live streaming on select games. If you join FanDuel in New York, you’ll score $300 in bonus bets if your first wager wins. I grabbed this promo with a $10 stake after signing up, but the minimum to qualify is only $5.
How To Sign Up
- Click 'Register'.
- Enter your personal details, including your social security number, email address, and telephone number.
- Tick the age verification and T&Cs boxes.
- Activate your account via the verification email sent after you completed registration.
DraftKings — Best for quick football picks
How to choose the best legal sportsbooks in Wyoming
What betting sites are legal in New York? If someone asks that question, I’m sure you can now tell them the best ones. These are the factors I kept in mind while reviewing them to ensure they’re up to par:
Licensing
Legality takes the number one spot, so I always check that a sportsbook is licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC). If it’s not, I don’t even consider it. Using an unlicensed sportsbook in NY can get you into legal trouble. I’ve also found out that there are enough NYSGC-regulated betting apps to choose from in the Empire State.
I only find the situation difficult in states where sports gambling is completely off-limits. For instance, no Texas sportsbooks are permitted, so I have to stay away from betting whenever I visit the Lone Star State.
Available sports
If you’re like me, you’ll want options when gambling. Since people follow different sports, the single best sportsbook in New York hangs on individual tastes. However, I only roll with brands that cover the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, plus others like UFC, tennis, and soccer. That way, I can bet on these NY teams:
| League | Teams |
| NFL | Buffalo Bills New York Giants New York Jets |
| NBA | New York Knicks Brooklyn Nets |
| MLB | New York Yankees New York Mets |
| NHL | New York Rangers New York Islanders Buffalo Sabres |
| MLS | New York Red Bulls New York City FC |
Luckily, most of these NY-based teams are competitive enough to the point that they’ve seen some playoff action in their respective leagues. This should give you a better picture of what to expect about the odds and the intensity of the games each team plays.
Betting odds
I always say a betting site's true value lies in its lines. To see how a sportsbook scores in this area, I check the vig on popular markets. Anything under 6% for the top NFL, NBA, and NHL games is good to go. For matchups with less betting traction, I work with 8% to 10% max. Also, I compare moneyline, spreads, and totals to make sure I’m not leaving juice on the table. Any difference, no matter how small, can go a long way over time.
I ride with this tip even when checking out social sportsbooks that use virtual currencies.
Bonuses and promotions
Sizing up sportsbooks and leaving out bonuses is a mistake, whether in NY or any other state. These are the main promos I keep on my radar while reviewing:
| Bonus type | Description |
| Welcome offer | The first bonus as a new bettor, like bonus bets, a deposit match, or some cashback, to get you rolling |
| Referral bonus | Rewards for inviting friends to join the NY sportsbook |
| Profit/odds boosts | Better lines and extra payouts on winning bets |
| Loyalty program | A program where you score points and receive exclusive benefits for betting over time |
If a site hits at least three of the above four, I know it’s worth my time. Anything less, and I’m cautious because life’s too short to chase weak promos.
Withdrawal speed
Having witnessed fast and slow payouts, you’d take my word on how the latter can be pretty frustrating. Right now, you won’t see me betting on a sportsbook that takes more than five days for withdrawals.
For New York sportsbooks, 72 hours is my cutoff. I prefer platforms that process ACH/e-wallet transfers within 48 hours and PayPal or VIP Preferred withdrawals in under 12.
Mobile interface
It may sound like a stretch, but I can count how many times I’ve bet with my PC in the last few years. Ask me the same question about my mobile bets, and it becomes a Herculean task. The fact is, we all live on our smartphones, so the mobile sportsbook app performance matters.
During my NY sportsbook reviews, I check for clear texts and backgrounds, fast load times, and quick browsing buttons. I benchmark this by testing if I can place a straight bet in under 20 seconds. Apps with clunky interfaces are vibe killers, so I keep them far away. The good thing is that the NY sports betting space has many apps to for you to try and see what fits. This wasn’t the case when I reviewed Florida sportsbooks, or better put, sportsbook. The state has just one betting app: Hard Rock Bet by the Seminole Tribe.
Pros and cons of New York sportsbooks
Having gone over the sportsbook market in the Empire State, these are the upsides and downsides that weigh most:
- Renowned US sports betting brands
- Variety of bonuses and promotions
- Fair odds with reasonable payouts
- Sportsbooks pay 51% tax
Conclusion – Sign up with first-rate NY sportsbooks
If you’re in the Empire State, you can wager on your favorite sports online with ease. Thanks to the legalization of sports betting in 2021, you can now see a diverse set of sites for you to choose from, and each of these are top-notch offers that will definitely get you hooked into making the toughest bets on the games you love. Whether you’re a fan of the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS, or any other US league that offer impressive and intense games for you to bet on, New York is definitely open for you to try out your luck.
I’ve done my part by mapping out the best New York sportsbooks available at the moment. Make your choice between Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings, then tap the banners on this page to visit the NY betting site.
Get off to a great start with these betting bonuses
Claim Bonus
- Various promotions and boosts for existing customers.
- Live betting for all the supported sports, plus in-game stats and a 2D game
- Fantastic selection of team and player props
+11
Claim Bonus
Claim Bonus
+9
Claim Bonus
+5
New York sportsbooks FAQs
Are sportsbooks legal in New York?
Yes, sportsbooks are legal in New York. The Empire State legalized sports betting in 2019 and mobile platforms in 2021.
How many sportsbooks are in NY?
NY has around eight sportsbooks operating with licenses from the NYSGC. The top ones to consider are Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings.
Is DraftKings allowed in NYC?
Yeah, DraftKings is allowed in NYC. The popular gambling brand is available online via web and app, and also at retail locations in partnership with Del Lago Resort & Casino.
Which NY sportsbook is the best?
The best NY sportsbook will depend on your preferences as a bettor. That said, my four best picks in the Empire State are Caesars, BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings.