Anyone 21 or older and physically located in New York can bet with any licensed sportsbook (we only list sportsbooks and casinos that are licensed in the state). There are geolocation services that make sure that you can't bet unless you stay within state lines.
Now, there are plenty of options for bettors in New York: the books offer a pretty wide range of betting markets, including both college and professional sports such as the NFL, NBA, etc. That said, betting on in-state college teams is unfortunately not allowed, unless they they playing in a tournament.
OK! Let's check out the best betting apps for New Yorkers, shall we?
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Popular sports and events to bet on in New York
It's not surprising that NY has become one of the biggest sports betting markets in the US: there are so many teams to support here it's ridiculous.
NFL Betting
As you might have guessed, football is the most popular sport to bet on, and we all know the teams that are backed here:
- Buffalo Bills
- New York Giants
- New York Jets
NBA Betting
Basketball betting is also huge, and the Knicks remain the city’s top team. The Brooklyn Nets is another team that always gets a lot of the betting action here in NY.
MLB Betting
New Yorkers are split between two legendary baseball teams:
- New York Yankees
- New York Mets
It's worth covering a little bit of the baseball history in New York.
The Yankees, one of the most successful and recognizable franchises in all of sports, are a powerhouse when it comes to betting. The team consistently draw heavy action in moneyline, run line, and futures betting. Bettors often wager on them to win the AL East, make a deep playoff run, or even take home another World Series title.
On the other side of town, we have the Mets. While historically viewed as the underdog compared to the Yankees, the Mets have built a competitive team in recent years, making them an attractive option for bettors looking for value. Betting on Mets games? Focus on strikeout props, run totals, and late-season playoff pushes.
MLB betting in New York goes beyond just the Yankees and Mets, though. Many bettors look to player props, like home run totals, pitcher strikeout props, and RBI leaders, especially when star players like Aaron Judge or Pete Alonso are in the lineup.
During October, New York’s baseball betting action reaches its peak, as both teams have had deep postseason runs in recent years. Futures bets on World Series winners, MVPs, and Cy Young contenders become major betting markets.
With a 162-game season, you can bet on baseball games almost daily. So, whether you're a die-hard Yankees fan, a loyal Mets supporter, or just looking for the best odds, New York baseball offers plenty of ways to get in on the action.
Tips for first-time bettors in New York
If you're just starting out, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your bets:
- Learn the basics – Understand how odds and different bet types work before placing wagers.
- Manage your bankroll – Set a budget and decide how much to bet per wager.
- Explore promotions – Many sportsbooks offer bonuses and promotions to help you get started.
Read our betting guides, and bookmark all the betting tips we have on the site.
For more sports betting tips, join our community and connect with experienced bettors, not only in NY but across the nation.
Historical background of betting in New York
New York took longer than expected to launch online sports betting, but once it did, it quickly became a market leader.
- 2013: New York passed a law to legalize sports betting, but it couldn’t go live due to the federal ban.
- 2019: Retail sportsbooks opened at Native American casinos, but no online betting was available.
- 2021: Governor Cuomo included online sports betting in the state budget.
- 2022: Online sportsbooks officially launched, and New York set records for betting handle and revenue.
New York’s success in sports betting has surpassed New Jersey, which had previously dominated the market.
New York betting legalization details
The New York Gaming Economic Development Plan was passed in 2013, legalizing sports betting only at retail locations. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that sportsbooks could actually begin taking bets.
Online betting remained a topic of debate for years. While many lawmakers pushed for its inclusion, it wasn’t until Governor Cuomo signed it into the 2021 state budget that it became reality.
New York’s high tax rate of 51% on operator revenue has been a challenge, but sportsbooks have still found success. The state continues to evaluate changes to the industry to maintain its position as one of the top sports betting markets in the U.S.

Sarah Chetcuti
iGaming Writer

Val C. Martinez
Founder of BettingLadies.com