Legal Online Sports Betting Sites. No longer are bettors required to be at a physical sportsbook to place a wager. Sure, the atmosphere and comradery of a full casino and sportsbook can provide excitement to bettors, but other times, the noise and constant interaction can keep bettors distracted from the main reason they are there betting on sports. Sports betting is now legal in the state, and the first Sportsbooks launched online and via mobile apps on January 22nd, 2021. Michigan casino apps and sites also went live on the same day. Colorado sports betting went live on May 1, 2020, when the first legal sports bet was placed.

• Are Sports Betting Apps Legal Advice
• What Sports Betting Apps Are Legal In California
• Sports Betting Apps Legal In Pa

Virginia sports betting is now live. The first online sports betting app in Virginia launched on January 21, 2021. FanDuel Virginia announced its presence in Virginia as the first sportsbook to debut.BetMGM, BetRivers, and DraftKings followed within days after. One week after that, William Hill launched in Virginia.

State lawmakers passed a package of bills legalizing sports betting in the Old Dominion in July 2020. Governor Ralph Northam’s signature on those bills capped off several years of efforts from legal gambling advocates in the state.

Virginia’s sports betting laws allow for up to 12 online sports betting operator licenses. These licenses to offer mobile sports betting will go to brands approved by the Virginia Lottery.

At least four of those licenses will function as strictly mobile sportsbooks, not tied into a partnership with a land-based casino.

The other licenses could see Virginia’s planned land-based casinos launch online sports betting. A November public vote approved the construction of casinos in four Virginia cities.

Virginia’s sports betting launch drew some of the industry’s biggest brands to the state and in the first 9 days did over $58.9 million in handle

Virginia Online Sports Betting – Live Now

William Hill Virginia

Visit: William Hill Sportsbook Virginia – Get up to a $2,021 risk free bet

Another sports betting brand with a natural tie-in to the Virginia market, William Hill operates as one of the most recognizable names in the industry. William Hill US offers both retail and mobile sports betting in many US states.

Caesars Entertainment, the parent company to William Hill, is expected to construct a land-based casino in one of Virginia’s four voter-approved cities. That property is a virtual lock to include a land-based version of William Hill Sportsbook. For online bettors that means a William Hill sportsbook app that can be used anywhere in the Commonwealth.

FanDuel Virginia Sportsbook

Visit: FanDuel Sportsbook Virginia – Get up to $1000 risk free bet

Like its biggest rival, DraftKings, FanDuel is one of the brands leading the charge in the US mobile sports betting boom. The company expanded from fantasy sports into sports betting and online casino gaming over the last two years, becoming one of the biggest sports wagering brands in the US in the process.

FanDuel operates an online sportsbook in almost a dozen states. The FanDuel launch in Virginia happened just a day before its launch in Michigan.

FanDuel teams with land-based casinos to offer online sports betting in most states. Virginia laws allow FanDuel Sportsbook to operate with a casino license partner, or as an online-only app. In the end, FanDuel partnered with the Washington Football Team, which plays in Maryland but is headquartered in Virginia. This partnership allowed it a leg up in launch order over other sportsbooks who will most likely have online-only licenses.

Regardless of licensing, the first bet was placed on FanDuel Virginia on January 21, 2021, a momentous day for Virginia bettors.

BetMGM Virginia Sportsbook

Visit: BetMGM Virginia – Claim up to $600 risk free bet

BetMGM is one of the top online gambling apps in the country. With its online casino app launched in a few states, the BetMGM Sportsbook app is available in even more states. Backed by the world-renown gaming brand BetMGM, the sportsbook app offers strong odds and a wide variety of sports for Virginia bettors. The app is strong, with good reviews for being relatively glitch-free.

BetMGM was one of the first sportsbook apps to launch in Virginia. It also announced a partnership with hometown favorites the Washington Nationals and will eventually open a retail sportsbook at Nationals Park in DC.

BetRivers Virginia Sportsbook

Visit: BetRivers Virginia – Claim a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250

The BetRivers name comes from the Rivers Casino brand, owned by Rush Street Interactive. BetRivers isn’t just limited to states that host a land-based Rivers Casino property, however.

The BetRivers online sportsbook and casino app operates in several states. Within a week they launched in both Virginia and Michigan. Rush Street Interactive is expected to open a land-based casino in Virginia, but the BetRivers online sportsbook beat it to market.

BetRivers has proven a worthy competitor in the legal online sports betting market across the US and could be one of the most popular platforms in the Virginia market.

DraftKings Sportsbook Virginia

Visit: Draftkings Sportsbook Virginia – Get a $1,000 deposit bonus (20% up to $1,000)

DraftKings Sportsbook launched its mobile app in Virginia on January 24, 2021. Since expanding into sports betting in 2018, DraftKings has emerged as one of the biggest brands in the legal US sports wagering market.

DraftKings Sportsbook offers legal wagering in eleven states. The platform offers one of the most robust menus of sports and ways to bet on any mobile sportsbook in the US market. They also offer one of the strongest apps for both Apple and Android devices.

Virginia’s Online Sportsbooks: What Brands Are On The Way?

Virginia received 25 license applications in 2020, with only 12 online-only licenses available. The Virginia Lottery was tight-lipped about who applied. Local news has reported that some of the potential Virginia sports betting apps could be from BetMGM, WynnBet, or Barstool.

In the end, the first four apps to launch in Virginia were FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, and BetMGM. William Hill followed a week later. Moreover, both WynnBet and Barstoool Sportsbook don’t have the same kind of history of being the first to launch in various states, but were among the first apps to launch in Michigan on January 22, 2021, the day after the Virginia launch. It is possible we will see both brands in Virginia in the future as both have strong growth plans for the US betting market.

Guide To Online Sports Betting In Virginia

Bonuses Available At Online Sportsbooks

The launch of online sports betting in Virginia marks the start of an industry that should offer a dozen different online sportsbooks at some point.

Each of the different platforms on the way to Virginia will offer welcome bonuses for new players. Some of the most common welcome offers seen at legal online sportsbooks include the following:

Deposit Match Bonuses

A deposit match bonus takes your first deposit at an online sportsbook and matches a percentage of it with bonus betting credits.

At BetRivers, for example, new players get a 100% deposit match bonus up to $250. With this bonus, you’ll earn bonus betting credits equal to the amount of your first deposit, up to $250.

Risk-Free Bets

A risk-free bet offers a rebate on your first bet (or sometimes multiple bets) made at a mobile sportsbook. The rebate is only awarded if the bet you apply the bonus to results in a loss.

At FanDuel Sportsbook, for instance, new players can enjoy a risk-free bet up to $1,000 after making an initial deposit. That offer allows you to make your first bet, up to $1,000, with no risk of losing.

No-Deposit Bonuses

A no-deposit bonus represents the most player-friendly offer of any welcome promotion on this list. This kind of bonus simply puts free betting credits in your player balance, just for signing up at a sportsbook.

Virginia’s Local Sports Teams

Virginia doesn’t host any teams from the four major US sports leagues, but it’s proximity to Washington DC makes the Old Dominion State one of the most passionate professional sports fan bases in the US.

All major domestic sports are open for betting at Virginia’s online sportsbooks. This includes professional sports teams in both Washington DC and Maryland, such as the Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles.

Wagering on Virginia’s college programs, however, isn’t permitted under Virginia’s sports betting laws. College programs like the Virginia Cavaliers and Virginia Tech Hokies will not appear on the menus of Virginia’s mobile sportsbooks.

Even without having local in-state teams, Virginia bettors are able to bet on all major domestic and international sporting events, including the Super Bowl, World Series, and March Madness. Although Virginia bettors are prohibited from betting on Virginia college teams playing in March Madness, they can bet on the Hoyas and the Terrapins. The same goes for NCAA championship games.

Washington DC Pro Sports Teams

Football represents the most popular sport for wagering in the US. The Washington Football Team enjoys a rabid fanbase in Virginia, backed up by three Super Bowl Championships and 24 playoff appearances in its nearly century-long history.

FanDuel partnered with the Washington Football team to launch the FanDuel Virginia app. It is expected the Washington Football Team will promote the FanDuel site. It is also rumored that this partnership was a sign of goodwill on behalf of the team as they consider a potential move to Virginia.

The Washington Nationals of MLB brought a World Series championship to Washington DC in 2019. Since moving to the District of Colombia from Montreal in 2005, the Nationals stand as one of Virginia’s favorite sports franchises. The Nationals partnered with BetMGM, who will eventually open a retail sportsbook at the Nationals Stadium in DC.

The NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals round out the lineup of Washington DC sports franchises. The nation’s capital is one of the few cities in the US with a team in all four major sports leagues.

Is Esports Betting Legal In Virginia?

The legal status of betting on esports varies significantly from state to state. Several states with legalized sports wagering don’t offer specific language on esports wagering in their sports betting bills.

Virginia’s sports betting laws, however, do permit betting on esports. Esports are rapidly growing in popularity for both spectators and bettors, and Virginia’s legal mobile sportsbooks are permitted to offer wagering on esports contests.

Sports Betting: Legal Versus Illegal

With up to a dozen legal online sportsbooks set to enter the Virginia market, illegal bookies and offshore gambling sites now take a backseat to their regulated, legal counterparts.

Virginia’s online sportsbooks operate under the regulation of the Virginia Lottery, a state-level government agency. The Virginia Lottery’s role in the state’s sports wagering industry is to ensure fair practice, prompt payouts, and a secure player experience from Virginia’s mobile sports betting products.

All approved online sportsbooks in Virginia bear the seal of approval from the Virginia Lottery. The sure way to tell that you’re playing at a state-regulated, legal sportsbook is to look for this mark on the homepage of a mobile sports betting website.

Drawbacks Of Illegal Bookmakers

Offshore betting platforms, on the other hand, won’t display the seal of approval from the Virginia Lottery or any other US gaming regulation agency. Offshore sites often function without having to answer to any gaming regulatory body.

With this in mind, it’s important to understand that offshore betting sites have no legal obligation to pay your winning when you try to cash out. When you deposit at an offshore sportsbook, you might never see that money again.

Legal sportsbooks, on the other hand, must provide prompt and fair payouts under Virginia law. In states with legal online sports betting, wagering at mobile sportsbooks provided the same level of security as playing at a legal land-based casino.

How Do I Know That Online Sportsbooks Are Fair?

Regulated By The Virginia Lottery

All states with legalized gambling operate with one or more government regulatory agencies in place. Virginia’s upcoming sportsbooks will fall under the oversight of the Virginia Lottery.

Virginia becomes one of several states in which the state lottery regulates all aspects of legal gambling within the state. Other states using this setup include West Virginia and Delaware.

The Virginia Lottery launched in 1988, and functions as a state-level government gaming agency. When sports betting eventually goes live in Virginia, players can wager knowing that state-regulated sportsbooks are overseen and regularly audited by the Virginia Lottery.

Why Can I Trust Legal Online Sportsbooks?

The launch of legal sports betting brings the world’s top sportsbook brands to the Virginia market. Multi-billion-dollar companies like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM will all compete for a piece of what will likely become a flourishing mobile sports betting market.

Other brands likely to operate in Virginia include William Hill, PointsBet, FOX Bet, and several others. All of these companies operate in multiple states and in some cases overseas.

As such, these legal sports betting brands conduct business as some of the most trusted companies in the legal gambling industry. Brands like DraftKings and FanDuel function with a keen interest in upholding their reputations as the world’s most trusted sports betting brands.

Virginia’s legal mobile sportsbooks use the highest level of security measures to protect player funds and personal information. Anything less could result in a major loss of trust for these giants in the legal gambling sphere.

How Do Online Sportsbooks Pay Me If I Win?

Virginia’s online sports betting platforms offer several convenient ways to cash out from your account. Registering for an account, depositing funds, wagering on sports, and withdrawing after you win can all be accomplished remotely.

Withdrawal methods include options like ACH/eCheck and online bank transfer, each of which involves a direct transaction from your player balance to your bank account. Most major banks facilitate transactions to and from legal sportsbooks.

PayPal presents one of the most secure options for both deposits and withdrawals. Many online sportsbooks offer a house-branded version of the Play+ Prepaid card, which links directly to your mobile sportsbook account.

Other withdrawal options include Skrill, wire transfer, and even (as a last resort) check by mail. Most of these options take 2-5 business days for the money to appear in your bank account.

Virginia Mobile Sports Betting FAQ

All major domestic and international professional sports can legally be wagered on from Virginia’s legal online sportsbooks. The selection of leagues might vary across different brands, but Virginia law allows mobile sportsbooks to offer all professional sports leagues.

Betting on Virginia-based college programs, however, is prohibited. State laws restrict wagering on programs like the Virginia Cavaliers and Virginia Tech Hokies.

Yes, but betting on Virginia’s college programs is illegal. You won’t find any available betting markets for in-state programs at Virginia’s legal mobile sportsbooks.

Betting on all other college sports teams is legal, however. The only exceptions to this are in-game betting and player prop bets on college contests, which are illegal under state law.

Yes. The package of bills outlining Virginia’s sports betting regulations contain language allowing esports wagering.

Virginia’s sportsbooks can choose whether or not to include esports as available betting markets. The undeniable popularity of esports makes it highly likely that Virginia’s sportsbooks will offer esports markets.

15%. All Virginia sportsbooks, both online and land-based, will have revenue taxed at 15% from the state. Potential operators will also pay a $250,000 licensing fee every three years. These tax rates only apply to sportsbook operators. Sports bettors also need to pay both Federal and state tax on any winnings, in accordance with tax laws.

The Virginia Lottery will approve up to 12 sportsbook operators. Four of those licenses will go to online-only operators, not connected to any land-based casino.

All other licenses can be applied for by land-based casinos and racetracks, or by other online-only operators. This is how several sports betting apps launched prior to any casino opening in Virginia.

Yes. DraftKings was the second sportsbook app to launch in Virginia. It is licensed by the Virginia lottery to operate mobile apps for both Apple and Android and a web browser.

Yes. FanDuel was the first Virginia sportsbook to announce its debut in the Commonwealth. FanDuel Sportsbook maintains a presence in virtually every legal mobile sports betting market in the US. Virginia was the next logical step in FanDuel’s expansion efforts.

Is Sports Betting Legal In New York?

New York sports betting has taken a turn in the right direction, but there’s still more work to do to catch up with its neighbors.

New York State has had physical sportsbooks since 2019. The closest in-state option to New York City is Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, while most of the rest are located in Upstate New York toward Binghamton, Syracuse, and Albany.

Mobile sports betting in New York is currently not available in the state. Legislators are currently working to pass a new bill to legalize online sports betting apps in 2021.

New York Mobile Sports Betting Updates – March 2021

While the state has yet to legalize online sports betting, it was discussed as part of an emergency revenue-raising strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nothing came of the measure, but a new glimmer of hope emerged in January. However, it came with a catch. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo voiced his intent to support mobile sports betting in the state. The catch? He wants a lottery-run sports betting monopoly. State legislators Gary Pretlow and State Senator Joseph Addabbo, however, have introduced a bill that would authorize a casino-run sportsbook market in the Empire State.

As it stands in March 2021, New York lawmakers have precious little time to negotiate and get their favored bill through. Addabbo and Pretlow’s legislation is ready for floor votes in the State Senate and assembly, respectively. The new fiscal year kicks off on April 1st, so time is of the essence.

The Pretlow/Addabbo bill would legalize online sports betting in New York. Some estimates say the sports betting market (if authorized by this bill) would bring $79 million to $100 million in revenue to the state. That’s a massive number, especially considering that New York is currently hemorrhaging possible sports betting dollars to neighboring New Jersey.

As the state legislators duke it out with the Governor over sports betting models, operators are wasting no time preparing for New York sports betting. Penn National Gaming signed a deal with Rivers Casino & Resort while Golden Nugget Online Gaming inked with Tioga Downs. Each deal is good for 20 years, pending Empire State sports betting regulation.

The Story So Far

Before the legislative battle began, New York saw some slow but steady progress toward sports betting.

On January 26, 2021, Spectrum Gaming Group released a study in conjunction with the Ney York Gaming Commission. The study outlined possible reasons for bringing mobile sports betting to the Empire State along with recommendations for adding new casinos to the downstate region.

On January 20, 2021, just a few days before that report was released, State Senator Addabbo and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow’s bill was making progress. The legislation was voted out of committee, indicating strong support from the Assembly and State Senate. Cuomo still supports the lottery-run model, however, so it remains to be seen how far this bill will progress before New York lawmakers must decide between the two formats.

According to State Senator Joseph Addabbo, the senator spearheading the campaign to bring mobile sports betting to New York, there is a possibility that mobile sports betting could become legal. In October 2020, NY Sports Day interviewed Sen. Addabbo about the chances and he seemed positive. It’s likely that Sen. Addabbo will be bringing legislation forward in January 2021 in order to see mobile sports betting added to the New York State budget before an April 1, 2021 deadline.

Addabbo clearly recognizes the importance of mobile betting to the New York economy. New York online sports betting could help plug a multi-billion dollar budget deficit that was exacerbated during 2020. Mobile sports betting could bring in $900 million annually in state revenue.

Governor Cuomo, thus far, has stood in the way of progress on this front, finding any movement on gambling in New York State would require an amendment to the state Constitution. He seems to have changed his tune as of June 2020. The mobile sports betting bill passed the state senate by a vote of 57-5, so at this point, Governor Cuomo’s signature is the final hurdle.

Current NY Online Sportsbook App Options

While waiting for mobile sports betting in New York, it is possible to sign up at these online sportsbooks in New York and bet in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

If you would like to place wagers online or via a sportsbook app, your best choice is to sign-up and deposit while in New York and cross the border into New Jersey or Pennsylvania to place your bets. New users at DraftKings get a 20% deposit bonus up to $1000. This is likely a faster option than going to any of the physical New York sportsbooks which are listed below.

A great option for NY players that are willing to travel to New Jersey to place bets. New users at Sugarhouse sportsbook get 100% up to $250 dollars with a 1x wager requirement. This is a great bonus for players looking for a solid sportsbook with an easy to get bonus.

Download In New York And Bet In New Jersey

Here are all of the mobile sportsbooks that licensed in New Jersey and available to New Yorkers once they are inside of New Jersey state lines:

• DraftKings Sportsbook
• PointsBet
• SugarHouse Sportsbook
• BetMGM Sportsbook
• William Hill
• 888 Sport
• Caesars Sportsbook
• FOX Bet
• Hard Rock Sportsbook
• Golden Nugget Sportsbook
• BetAmerica
• Bet365 NJ
• theScore Bet
• Borgata Sports
• Unibet Sport

Live New York Sportsbook Locations

For the time being, New York sports betting locations are limited to land-based casinos. Legally, New Yorkers cannot yet place a bet online or at an off-track betting (OTB) facility.

Here are all the casino locations currently accepting NY sports bets. We’ve also included whether there’s a New Jersey sportsbook app for those who find themselves in the Garden State.

Top 3 Best Sportsbooks In New York State

DraftKings Sportsbook

There is simply no avoiding the two most successful mobile sportsbook apps, FanDuel and DraftKings. They’re producing successful results in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania that hit too close to home for New York to ignore.

In fact, DraftKings currently operates a sportsbook app in seven of the legal online betting states. Now, success in other states notwithstanding, DraftKings has an affiliation on their side. DraftKings sportsbook app in New Jersey is under the sports betting license of Resorts World.

This is the same Resorts World that operates three casinos in New York. One of their locations is the Resorts World Catskills, and it’s one of the legal sportsbook venues in New York.

Due to DraftKings’s massive customer base, proven track record, and ties to current New York sportsbook operations, they’re at the top of any list of candidates for New York mobile sportsbook app providers.

Plus, the DraftKings app in other states is currently pushing $1,000 worth of new accounts and first deposit incentives, so it can’t come soon enough.

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel has just as strong a chance of gaining access to New York’s mobile sports betting market as its daily fantasy sports (DFS) rival DraftKings. They’re currently operating successful mobile sportsbook apps in five states, with bordering New Jersey and Pennsylvania being two of them.

One of the current physical FanDuel sportsbook locations in New York is at the Tioga Downs Casino Resort. FanDuel provides all sportsbook operations at this venue.

Already having skin in the New York sports betting game should certainly bode well for FanDuel. And the fact that they have overwhelmed their competition right across the border in New Jersey will be a huge factor as well.

FanDuel and DraftKings have a huge sportsbook app presence already established across the country. One or both operate in nearly every state where online betting is legal, and their DFS platforms are the far and wide leaders. They also provide the logistic platform for a number of brick-and-mortar sportsbook facilities, including at a couple of New York sportsbooks.

When FanDuel does launch its sportsbook app, FanDuel will almost certainly pass along the same $500 risk-free first bet opportunity it offers in other states.

Rivers Sportsbook

BetRivers doesn’t have the kind of name recognition as FanDuel and DraftKings. But their mobile app is offered in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, and Colorado.

So whenever New York decides to allow online sports betting, you can expect the BetRivers app to be one of the choices.

In the meantime, you can head to Schenectady, NY; Philadelphia, PA; or Pittsburgh, PA to experience the Rivers Sportsbook in person. It’s the same odds you’ll find on their highly popular sports betting website. And you can use the odds picker to make your selection ahead of time.

At the Schenectady location, you can bet via 14 self-serve kiosks or six betting windows. They have close to two dozen TVs, luxury seating, and food and drink service.

Not too shabby, but we’re holding out for the online version. In New Jersey, the BetRivers app will double your first deposit up to $250.

The Recent History Of New York State’s Sports Betting Legislation

Brick-And-Mortar Sportsbooks

New York’s legislators approved regulations for sports betting at physical locations in January 2019.

After watching New Jersey’s success, lawmakers realized that revenue was simply walking across the proverbial state line. When Pennsylvania legalized sportsbooks, the problem compounded. The idea that New York would hand over much-needed financial revenue seemed senseless to all residents and sports fans alike.

Nevertheless, it took roughly a year to open the first sportsbook. But in October 2019, folks in Upstate New York could finally place legal sports bets.

Even though New York was the 14th state to permit sports betting, it restricted sportsbook venues to four upstate casinos. They included no provisions in the legislation for mobile betting. Many were scratching their heads at this development.

Online Sportsbooks Apps

While lawmakers saw the success of other states that came before them, they seemed to ignore the numbers. In June 2019, Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. attempted to amend the sports betting bill to include online wagering.

The bill passed the New York Senate by a 57 to 5 vote. However, Governor Cuomo vetoed the bill. There was overwhelming support for an online amendment to the final sports betting legislation, but Cuomo publicly said he would not approve it.

To date, there seems to be little progress toward opening up New York to mobile sports bettors. New Jersey specifically showed tremendous promise from each licensed sportsbook app operating in the state. Eighty percent of the betting revenue was generated online.

Why So Much Resistance From The Governor?

The path to legal sports betting in New York was bumpy. Clearly, the process of including mobile sportsbook apps is proving even more difficult. Nearly all the resistance comes from the governor’s office. Most who hope to change his mind are at a loss for any actual reason.

Governor Cuomo’s black eye in a battle with two prominent sportsbook players, FanDuel and DraftKings, may be part of the issue. Cuomo lost that battle to have each of these daily fantasy sports (DFS) companies ruled illegal in his state, and both offer DFS in NYS today.

While there is no direct evidence pointing to any personal animosity, it would seem his resistance to online sports betting is a reality. And some assume it stems from his administration’s legal defeat.

As New York faces extreme financial hardship due to COVID-19 and other factors, it would seem like a time to put petty differences aside. And there is some hope from the final outcome of the New York vs. DFS legal squabble.

The governor ultimately did sign the law in August 2016, which ruled that daily DFS contests are not a form of gambling. There were rumors that Cuomo was going to veto that bill, but he didn’t.

Regardless, since The United States Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting in 2013, New York’s highest office has displayed reluctance toward welcoming mobile sportsbook operations with open arms. In fact, it’s been essentially a no-go proposition.

In his defense, Cuomo insists that legal mobile sports betting would require amending the New York State Constitution. Despite a collective bipartisan disagreement on that being legal truth, that’s really the only bonafide reason the governor presented.

The governor also floated the idea that he had reservations about everyone being able to bet from their phone. During a radio interview, Cuomo wasn’t pressed on his reasoning behind that substance-lacking excuse.

Problem gambling in his state seemed to be the impetus behind his concerns. However, lawmakers have already visited this problem inside the legislation. The bill to amend the legal sports betting law included 14 points to deal with problem gambling issues.

While lawmakers have apparently tried to dot all their i’s and cross all their t’s, Cuomo still voices resistance to mobile sportsbooks. However, the staff at the New York Treasurer’s Office may be whispering to him that a new wind of change needs to be in the air.

Could Change Be In The Air?

New York was in bad financial straits before the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the state is staring down the face of bankruptcy after COVID-19 has devastated its already bleak monetary outlook.

Are Sports Betting Apps Legal Advice

There isn’t a single state currently allowing legal sports bets that hasn’t benefited financially from the decision. New York lawmakers realized that when they agreed to open physical locations.

Nevertheless, there is no disputing the massive amount of betting handle that is wagered using mobile devices. Reports surfaced last year that Senator Addabbo was pushing his mobile app legislation, and 84 lawmakers supported the idea.

Can New Yorkers Bet Using New Jersey Sports Betting Apps?

New Jersey is one of the most liberal states when it comes to online gambling. They currently offer online sportsbooks, online casinos, and poker sites, which covers all the bases.

On the online sports betting front, New Jersey has at least 17 different sportsbook options. The state also does not require you to register in-person, which means you can download the app and sign up for an account from New York State (or anywhere else in the country).

However, you do need to be physically located in New Jersey to place a bet through the online sportsbooks.

Physical New York Sportsbooks Are Online In New Jersey

As painful as that fact may be, all the top sportsbooks in New York State are available to bettors in the Garden State – and they don’t need to leave home to wager. But there’s good news.

If you’re willing to enter New Jersey to bet, you can participate in the welcome bonuses, place bets, and withdraw your winnings despite being an NYS resident. The only requirements are that you’re at least 21 years old and you’re within New Jersey state lines.

Is It Legal For New Yorkers To Bet In New Jersey?

Yes, it is completely legal for you to travel to New Jersey and bet online. You don’t even need to leave your car. Just make sure location tracking is turned on in the app, pull over somewhere safe, place your bet, then head on home.

If you’re closer to the New Jersey border than you are to a New York sportsbook, this is likely the easiest way to place a legal bet. The same is true for New York State residents who live close to the Pennsylvania border.

New York Sports Betting: Everything You Can And Can’t Bet On

Sports You Can Bet On In New York

You can bet on all forms of professional and out-of-state collegiate sporting events listed at the sportsbook. You can also bet on international competitions, from Korean baseball to French soccer.

The most popular sporting events for folks in New York include:

• Super Bowl
• World Series
• NCAA March Madness
• The World Cup

The professional New York and New Jersey teams that inspire the most betting are:

• New York Knicks
• Brooklyn Nets
• New York City FC
• New York Mets
• New York Rangers
• Buffalo Bills
• Buffalo Sabres
• New York Islanders
• New Jersey Devils

Sports Wagers Not Offered In New York By Law

You cannot bet on in-state college athletics in New York State. That means powerhouses like Syracuse, Buffalo, and Army are strictly off-limits.

You also can’t bet on high school sports or any sport with participants under the age of 18 (like esports).

What Are The Types Of Sports Bets Available In New York?

As long as you’re not betting on in-state colleges and universities, everything else is fair game. You can bet as much as the sportsbook is willing to accept as well. And you should be able to wager for as little as $1.00 or less.

The specific types of bets might depend on the sportsbook. But all of the sports betting outlets in New York State offer the following options:

• Moneyline
• Points Spread
• Totals (Over/Under)
• Futures
• Prop Bets
• Parlays/Accumulators

All New York sportsbooks also offer in-game (AKA live) betting, where you can place a bet on a game after it’s begun.

Beyond those options, things get a bit more nuanced. Specific sports have specific types of bets. For example, the Grand Salami for hockey. Some sportsbooks will offer teasers and pleasers, others won’t.

You can call ahead to see what’s on offer before driving to a casino. Many sportsbooks also have a “bet builder” tool on their website so you can determine your bets ahead of time.

Are There Bonuses At Physical Sportsbooks In New York?

No, not in the same sense as an online sportsbook bonus. The casino may have some promotional offers, such as a spin for a prize when you sign up for their reward program.

But the “first deposit” and “risk-free” bet offered by Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetRivers are not offered at the physical location. When online sports betting comes to New York, you’ll have your pick of numerous bonus offers.

However, it’s still worthwhile to sign up for the rewards programs. You can earn points that can be used toward hotel stays, tickets to shows, free meals, and other special offers.

Is It Worth It To Use Illegal Sports Betting Sites?

No. Some people will beg to differ with us on that, but it’s just not.

Offshore betting sites are breaking New York State law. In fact, their lack of oversight allows them to offer their services practically anywhere. The question is: What else can these websites do with impunity? When a bettor doesn’t have any real recourse if there’s a dispute, that’s an unsafe betting site, period.

What’s to say your personal information is safe? Will you be paid out your winnings? Are the bonus terms and conditions reasonable, or are they designed to rip you off?

You can do research, read reviews, and weigh the risks. But at the end of the day, isn’t gambling risky enough? Do you really want to add potentially joining an illegitimate website into the mix?

It’s understandable that someone might consider offshore alternatives. If you just want to put ten bucks on the game you’re watching, it’s probably not worth it to get in the car and drive to Chittenango, NY, or the New Jersey border.

But the safest answer isn’t to join an illegal site. The safest choice is to not bet on the game.

Remember to Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-GAMBLER if you think you have a gambling problem.

Sports Betting In NY – Common Questions

Yes. In January 2019, New York State legalized sports betting, and the first locations opened in October 2019. New York currently prohibits online sports betting in every form except for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). But New York residents can travel to New Jersey or Pennsylvania to legally place online sports bets.

Technically, yes. But no casino in New York City offers sports betting, and OTB facilities cannot host sports betting.

In fact, the state’s largest casino, Resorts World at JFK Airport, does not host a sportsbook.

That means New Yorkers need to travel upstate or into neighboring states to place a legal sports bet.

If you are physically located within New Jersey, you are able to place online bets via any of the New Jersey sportsbook apps. You are allowed to sign-up and deposit while in New York but sports betting apps check your location (via GPS) when placing a bet.

What Sports Betting Apps Are Legal In California

We estimate that NY online sports betting would bring $900 million dollars in annual revenue and up to $1.3 billion if skins are allowed. New York would quickly become one of the largest online sports betting markets in the United States.

Between 18 and 21. At New York State tribal casinos, the gambling age is 18. At commercial casinos, the gambling age is 21. You’ll still need to be 21 at the tribal casinos to purchase alcohol or gain access to some events.

Yes. But not if any of the competitors are under the age of 18, which may be why you rarely find esport contests listed at American sportsbooks.

The most prominent professional teams employ the best players in the world, many of which are under 18. But it is possible to see bets on the highest profile tournaments, such as the League of Legends World Championship.

Sports Betting Apps Legal In Pa

All professional and collegiate level sports except for in-state schools. You can bet on all major leagues in the US and internationally. All NCAA contests are also fair game unless they involve schools like Syracuse, Buffalo, and so on. You cannot bet on amateur or high school sports, the weather, TV, or politics either.

Yes, as long as no in-state schools are playing. That means most Division 1 NCAA schools are fair game. And if you are betting on out-of-state schools, you should be able to place all the same bets as you would on a professional sport, including in-game betting.

But betting on college football games that feature Syracuse, Buffalo, Army, or any other in-state school are explicitly not allowed.

Yes. You’ll need to pay the 24% federal income tax as well as New York income tax on net gambling winnings. This includes anything won at the casino, sportsbook, or lottery. You also may need to pay an additional city tax depending on where you live in the New York Metropolitan Area.

Yes, the physical DraftKings Sportsbook has a presence in New York. You can find the DraftKings sportsbook at del Lago Resort, which is located in the Finger Lakes region.

DraftKings does not yet have an app available in New York. They’ll need to wait until the state greenlights online sports betting.

Yes. The FanDuel Sportsbook is available in Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, New York, a racino that offers both casino games and sports betting as well as on-site horse racing.

However, the FanDuel Sportsbook app can only be used if you travel to Pennsylvania or New Jersey, where online sports betting is legal.