Posted  by 

Sports Betting Nyc

With New York facing a $15 billion budget shortfall from the coronavirus pandemic, online sports betting is viewed as one possible way to inject much-needed money into the state. New Jersey legalized online wagers in 2018, and earlier this month, Governor Andrew Cuomo included an online professional sports betting plan in his executive budget proposal that he claimed would raise $500 million in revenue for the state.

But many logistical hurdles remain. Cuomo’s proposal for legalization runs counter to what the Democratic supermajority in the state legislature is pitching. Some authorities are questioning the legality of the whole enterprise. And there are lingering concerns about gambling and addiction, particularly with the number of people sequestered at home and the opportunities that could be suddenly available to lose significant amounts of cash.

“I don’t see the governor’s proposal as workable in New York,” said Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, the chairman of the Committee on Racing and Wagering.

Right now, you can place horse racing bets on your smartphone through an app run by the not-for-profit corporation that oversees horse racing in New York’s three major tracks. Mobile betting for professional sports could theoretically function in a similar way. Currently, the servers for horse betting are located at the racetracks.

In both Cuomo and the legislature's proposals, the servers for mobile sports betting would be situated at places where bets are already taken, like casinos. The major overriding question is how many operators, or “skins,” as they are called in the industry, there will be, and who will get to profit.

Under Cuomo’s proposal, which still needs to be fleshed out further, the New York State Gaming Commission would be directed to solicit bids for a small number of mobile sports wagering operators. The system would be akin to how the state-run lottery functions, with possibly only one or a small number of operators overseeing sports betting. A single operator runs online sports betting in New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia. Overall, sports betting is now legal in more than two dozen states.

Robert Mujica, Cuomo’s budget director, said earlier this month that the advantage of the state proposal would be the ability to maximize tax revenue. “The fundamental question is: if you want to support the bottom line for casinos or New York’s students. And the governor’s proposal chooses students,” Mujica told the Wall Street Journal. (An identical statement was sent to Gothamist from Freeman Klopott, a budget spokesman for Cuomo.)

New York Sports Betting Laws. Sports betting is legal in New York, but you must be aged 21 years to place a bet. You must also place a bet with a fully licensed casino/sportsbook, and you cannot place a bet online, either via desktop or your mobile device, in NY. New York Sports Betting News. New York Sports Betting News. San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks NBA Picks, Odds, Predictions 3/2/21 March 2, 2021. Peter's Pick New York +3.5. The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a Sports Chat Place site consensus.

It’s not clear yet what Cuomo’s tax rate would be for his online betting model, though Mujica has asserted that it would be enough to raise $500 million a year. The state legislative proposal, co-sponsored by Pretlow and the chairman of the State Senate’s Racing and Wagering Committee, Joseph Addabbo, puts the number closer to $100 million annually.

At first glance, that would seem to make Cuomo’s proposal the better one, given the potential for serious state budget cuts without new forms of revenue. But lawmakers and some gambling industry insiders aren’t so sure. In New Jersey, which is generally viewed as a success given the number of people who place bets, there are as many as 17 legal online sportsbooks.

New York’s legislature is looking to take a similar approach, believing their proposal has a better opportunity for growth—more operators can lead to more options for consumers and more interest in placing bets. Addabbo calls his legislation “inclusive,” because it would also allow for Native American casinos, casinos on state property, and off-track betting sites to participate.

“Competition bodes better for our residents and will drive up revenues than being a narrow state-run lottery kind of system,” Addabbo argued. “New York finds itself in a very odd position not being a leader. We are outside looking in. New York right now is a three-wheeled car limping along in the right lane. New Jersey and Pennsylvania are speeding by us.”

Bennett Liebman is a government lawyer in residence at Albany Law School who previously advised Cuomo as the deputy secretary for Gaming and Racing. He said the difference between the two models is a question of what is being prioritized: more tax revenue, or a better model, long-term, for consumers and gambling interests?

“It all depends on what you want in your market. If you want what the governor is seeking, which the draft is very general, you are looking for maximum tax revenue, you will give it to one or two groups and you are going to tax them at a very high rate,” Liebman said. “If you are looking to create a robust market to help out casinos and consumers, then you go with, or you are more inclined to go with, the legislative plan.”

Liebman called the Cuomo administration’s $500 million revenue figure for online sports betting “very, very high,” and predicted a few operators would dominate the space in New York, like DraftKings and FanDuel have done in New Jersey. Casinos, racetracks, and online gambling in total generated a little more than $300 million in tax revenue for New Jersey in 2020.

Even if New York reached Cuomo’s projections—let alone the far smaller figure from the state legislature—online sports betting would represent only a minuscule fraction of a state budget that was $177 billion last year. One question hanging over the debate is whether the united front fighting for mobile sports betting in New York—the currently existing casinos, and operators like DraftKings and FanDuel—would crumble if only a small number of them were selected to make money from sports betting.

According to a constitutional amendment passed in 2013, sports wagering in New York is currently allowed only in physical portions of its four existing commercial casinos and other facilities operated by Indian tribes. Cuomo and supporters of online sports betting believe their proposal will meet the requirements of the state constitution by locating the servers for the betting websites at the physical casinos.

Neil Murray, an Albany attorney who has sued to oppose gambling in the state, said there was a “legitimate, serious question” about the constitutionality of online sports betting.

“The problem right now is the constitutional amendment that was passed several years ago does carve out exceptions for gambling at casinos. The operative word is ‘at’ and what does that mean?”

Murray argued the way the amendment was proposed—an economic stimulus for destination casinos that would prevent the proliferation of gambling statewide—contradicts the arguments made for mobile sports betting today. “If you allow online gambling and people can gamble from their living rooms, then of course that destroys the whole purpose on which gambling was authorized on a limited basis to begin with,” he said. “Everybody is counting on collective amnesia.”

Pretlow, the state assemblyman, contended that his bill met the requirements of the state constitution but Cuomo’s would not if it chose to operate like the state lottery. The lottery is regarded as a game of pure chance with no skill involved, allowing it to circumvent a longtime prohibition on gambling in the state.

“The lottery has to be 100 percent chance. The lottery is not gambling,” Pretlow said. “It’s flip a coin, heads or tails, nothing in the middle. I think if the lottery were to handle sports betting, it would lead to a constitutional question.”

NYC news never sleeps. Get the Gothamist Daily newsletter and don't miss a moment.

Do you know the scoop?Comment below or Send us a Tip

Placing a legal sports bet in New York City is not an easy task. Our NYC Betting Guide, though, will explain the best ways to place a sports bet if you live in the Big Apple.

New York City does not have any in-person sportsbooks. That means sports bettors need to cross the bridge to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Upstate New York to place a legal bet.

The closest sports betting facility is the FanDuel Sportsbook at the Meadowlands Racetrack, which shares a parking lot with MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants NFL team.

But when you cross the border into New Jersey or Pennsylvania, you do not need to visit a physical sportsbook. Instead, you have the option to download one of the state’s sportsbook apps and bet remotely.

Best Sportsbook Apps For Bettors In New York City

Sportsbook AppBonus OfferNew York LocationNew Jersey LocationPennsylvania Location
DraftKings20% deposit bonus up to $1000del Lago Resort & CasinoResorts Casino HotelThe Meadows
FanDuelRisk-free bet up to $1,000Tioga DownsMeadowlandsValley Forge Casino
BetRivers100% deposit bonus up to $250Rivers CasinoMonmouth Park (as SugarHouse)Rivers Casino

DraftKings Sportsbook

The DraftKings Sportsbook use the same iOS and Android app for both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. That means you can download the app from New York and register, then place bets whenever you’re in either neighboring state.

The DraftKings Sportsbook at del Lago Resort & Casino in the Finger Lakes area may be a worthy destination for a sports betting vacation. Bettors have over 6,000 square feet of space and over 1,000 square feet of LED TV screens.

But the five-hour drive will likely take you into Pennsylvania, where you’re able to bet the highly competitive odds through the DraftKings app anywhere within state lines.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Sports Betting Nyc

Sports betting ny reddit

The FanDuel Sportsbook is New York City’s closest retail sports betting location. While DraftKings is the official betting partner of the New York Giants, they do not have a retail sportsbook in the Meadowlands Sports Complex.

The FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands is located at Victory Sports Bar, which includes three separate sports betting and viewing areas. It boasts 20-foot screens, a huge food and drink menu, and you just need to cross the parking lot to get to MetLife.

Valley Forge Casino right outside of Philadelphia also has a retail FanDuel Sportsbook, but any trip to Philly means you can simply bet through the FanDuel app.

BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers is typically a partner of Rivers Casino, which has locations in several states. In New York, there’s a Rivers Casino in Schenectady, and Pennsylvania boasts a Rivers Casino Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

In New Jersey, the BetRivers Sportsbook is presented as SugarHouse, the former name of Rivers Casino Philly. The two share a parent company.

The BetRivers Sportsbook app is making huge strides in the industry despite not having the same name power as FanDuel and DraftKings. Anyone who’s been to a Rivers Casino is familiar with the brand’s commitment to quality, and that applies to their sports betting, where competitive odds and unique promotions set them apart time and time again.

New York City Sports Betting: Why No Downstate Sportsbooks?

Why are there no retail sportsbooks in New York City? Despite being the largest metropolitan area by both population and square miles, Downstaters need to travel Upstate or to Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

The reason is simple, albeit frustrating. Only four commercial casinos in Upstate and tribal casinos (also located Upstate) were approved to offer sports betting. That means the largest casino in the state, Resorts World Casino New York City, does not have sports betting. And unless there’s a change to the law, they never will.

Status Of Online Sportsbooks In New York

It stands to reason that no one would complain much about sports betting in New York City if New Yorkers could use online sports betting apps. Even if you live right next door to a retail sportsbook, playing from home is more convenient. And that’s not to mention the privilege of playing on the go.

Unfortunately, it looks like legalized sports betting will require a change to the New York State Constitution. At least, that’s the stance of Governor Andrew Cuomo.

However, New York lawmakers of both parties are pushing for mobile sports betting anyway. In the wake of the COVID-19 shutdowns, tax revenue sources took an enormous hit, prompting many in the state legislature to rally behind sports betting.

In the likely event that the state budget is passed without mobile sports betting, the openness of lawmakers could make the push for mobile wagers an ongoing line item. Worst case scenario, the state constitution would be changed, which would likely take until 2023.

What Choices Do New York Sports Bettors Have?

Apart from supporting legislators, New Yorkers can travel to the closest retail sportsbooks. The nearest in-state is at Resorts World Catskills, and the closest, in general, is at the Meadowlands across the bridge in New Jersey.

Another option is downloading a New Jersey or Pennsylvania sports betting app and traveling just over the state border to place a bet. As long as you’re at least 21 years old and physically located in the state, it doesn’t matter if you’re a New York City resident.

New York’s Neighbors: How Betting Works In Bordering States

Gambling In New Jersey

When people think gambling in America, they likely think of Nevada first and New Jersey second. The home of Atlantic City, the Garden State is a premier destination for every type of betting, from casino games to sports betting.

Sports Betting Ny App

But New Jersey is also one of only a few states that have legalized every form of online gambling: casinos, sports, and poker. Not even Nevada can compete with that, as online casinos are not legal in the Silver State.

Better yet, New Yorkers can legally play at any of these online casinos, sportsbook apps, or poker sites as long as they’re physically located in New Jersey.

Gambling In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is another state that legalized every form of online gambling. While their online poker doesn’t share a player pool with other states, its massive population (relatively-speaking) compensates for it.

Like in New Jersey, New Yorkers are free to download Pennsylvania sportsbook apps and register from the Big Apple. But you need to be physically located in Pennsylvania to place bets.

Much of the same options are available in both PA and NJ, and many are some of the highest quality sports betting apps and sites on the planet. These include DraftKings, FanDuel, FOX Bet, William Hill, Unibet, and Bet365.

The Best Way To Place Bets Online In New York City

1. Find The Right Sportsbook App

A good example of a high-quality sportsbook app is DraftKings, and the same app can be used in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It’s easy to jump on the PATH train from Manhattan to place your bets, then head straight back to watch them come to fruition.

Of course, there are other sportsbook apps to choose from. Here’s a guide to New Jersey online gambling, including the best sports betting platforms.

Sports

2. Register With The Proper Identification

When you register, make sure you use the name that matches your ID, as you’ll likely need to upload a photo of your ID to verify your age and identity and complete registration. You can do this from New York City.

Make sure to also allow the app to know your location. It’s a requirement so that the sportsbook can confirm you’re in an applicable state.

Important: Read all terms and conditions before opting in for a promotion. There may be a limited window between registration and when the promotion expires, so you’ll want to hold off on registration until the day you’re going to place bets.

3. Deposit And Take Advantage Of Promotions

From New York, you can also make a deposit and take advantage of any promotions that don’t involve betting, such as a deposit-matching bonus.

Deposit options at sportsbook apps include debit and credit card, direct bank transfer, PayNearMe retailers, and e-wallets like Skrill and PayPal.

4. Place Bets

Once you’re physically located in a state where you can legally bet on your chosen sportsbook, you can bet without limits. This includes props, futures, and parlays. Traveling to a neighboring state is the only way to bet on New York-based college sports, which will be the case even when New York legalizes online betting.

5. Withdraw Winnings

Withdrawing winnings can be done from outside the state as well. That means you can travel to New Jersey to bet with the DraftKings app, then turn around and head home before the game ends.

If you win, you can cash out in a few different ways. The most common are direct bank transfer, check in the mail, and e-wallet like PayPal or Skrill.

Top 3 Sports Bars In Hoboken For Sports Betting

While sports bars that aren’t at a racetrack or casino can’t offer sports betting, New Yorkers can travel to New Jersey and bet from any bar in the state. All you have to do is register at a New Jersey sportsbook like DraftKings, and you’re good to go once you’re in the state.

The most conveniently located New Jersey city to Manhattan is Hoboken, which is accessible via a ten-minute ride on the train. Here are the top three sports bars located a short walk from the PATH station:

Wicked Wolf

In terms of atmosphere, it doesn’t get much better than Wicked Wolf on gameday. Just be sure you’re ready to be in a lively and crowded environment.

Black Bear And Grill

Wings, beer specials, nightly events, and a huge wall of televisions that ensure you’ll always see the action.

Texas Arizona

Possibly the closest bar to the PATH station, Texas Arizona is in the top three purely because of the unrivaled convenience. But they still have good food, drinks, and plenty of TVs. What else could you want?

Betting In New York Vs. Neighboring States

If you compare retail sportsbooks in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, you’ll find that they’re virtually the same. You’ll see some difference in the odds and the food and drink offerings. But overall, the setup is relatively identical:

  • Limited sports bar hours (with full food and drink menus)
  • Limited betting window hours
  • 24/7 betting kiosks
  • A wall or two of giant LED TVs
  • Leather chair seating as well as bar stools

Sports Betting Ny Online

However, you cannot bet on in-state schools in New York. That means no Syracuse University or Buff State. It also means playing March Madness pools is relatively limited to free-to-play promotional tournaments or office pools.

In both states, you the following types of bets are legal:

  • Straight moneyline bets
  • Points spreads
  • Over/Under
  • Futures
  • Prop bets
  • Parlays
  • Teasers and Pleasers

In all three states, in-game betting is legal, meaning you can place bets after the game has begun. Sportsbooks can also offer an unlimited number of prop bets, from player performances to general game events, such as the number of field goals.

New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania also restrict gambling on esports contests with players under 18, any amateur sports, politics, TV competitions, and the weather.

Sports betting ny reddit

The Only Real Difference Is Mobile Wagering

Ny Sports Betting News

And what a difference it makes. Bettors in New Jersey and Pennsylvania enjoy a massive difference in convenience with access to mobile betting. Hopefully, New York City will see mobile gambling come to town in the near future.

Most Common Questions About NYC Sports Betting

No. There is no legal sportsbook in the New York City limits, so any sports betting that takes place in one of the boroughs would be an illegal bet.

However, you can bet on sports at retail sportsbooks in Upstate New York as well as in New Jersey, much of which is quickly and easily accessible from New York via train, ferry, or car.

Zero. Manhattan does not have any legal sportsbooks, and neither does any other part of New York City. Parts of the New York Metropolitan Area do have retail sportsbooks as well as legalized online betting, but they’re located in the states of New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

What is the closest in-person sportsbook from New York City?

FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands. The closest sportsbook from anywhere in New York City, at least by distance, is the FanDuel Sportsbook located in the Meadowlands Racetrack, which shares a parking lot with MetLife Stadium. Alternatively, you can hop the river to Hoboken and place bets using New Jersey sports betting apps.

Is online sports betting legal in New York City?

No. New York State has not yet legalized online sports betting, and that restriction extends to both Upstate and Downstate. While there have been several pushes by lawmakers, Governor Andrew Cuomo has not vered from his belief that legalizing mobile sportsbooks would require a change to the state’s constitution.

Can New Yorkers bet at online sportsbooks in New Jersey and Pennsylvania?

Mobile Sports Betting Nyc

Yes. You do not need to be a state resident to join an online sportsbook in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. The only requirement for sportsbook registration in both states is that you’re at least 21 years old. To place a bet, you also need to be physically located in the state, and the app verifies that using geolocation.

Is the DraftKings Sportsbook app legal in New York City?

Technically yes. You cannot use the DraftKings Sportsbook to bet online in New York, but you can download the app, register, make deposits, and withdraw while in New York City or anywhere else in the state. However, you must be physically located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or another accessible state to place bets using the DraftKings Sportsbook app.

Sports Betting Ny Casinos

Can you play the FanDuel Sportsbook from New York City?

No, but the retail FanDuel Sportsbook is located at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, making it the closest retail sportsbook to New York City. You can also cross the river into New Jersey and bet using the FanDuel Sportsbook app anywhere in the state. It is completely legal to do so as a New Yorker.

Betting

New York Sports Betting

No. Any bet placed on the Super Bowl from New York City would be against state law. You could hop over to Pennsylvania or New Jersey to place a legal wager on the Super Bowl, then return to New York to watch the game and withdraw any winnings. But to bet on any NFL game legally as a New Yorker, you have to go Upstate or across state lines.