Will New York Become the New Mecca of Sports Betting?

• The Empire State could become the center of the sports wagering world when online New York sports betting launches
• Retail sportsbooks have operated in New York since 2019, but the lack of online betting has impeded the NY sports betting market
• Online New York sports betting is set to get underway in time for Super Bowl LVI

New Yorkers are eagerly anticipating the launch of online sports betting in the Empire State, and for good reason. As many residents know, retail wagering locations have been operational since 2019, with FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook operating out of the Tioga Downs and del Lago casinos respectively.

The lack of New York online sports betting has slowed the action, however. There’s nothing more convenient than wagering from the comfort of your home, and the monthly NY betting handle is expected to shoot through the roof once New York sports bettors can participate in mobile betting.

So, just how popular can sports betting become in New York? Let’s investigate further and find out.

Setting the Stage – Effects of No Online New York Sports Betting

While retail sportsbooks have been operational in New York for two years, the lack of online NY sports betting has impacted the local industry in some negative ways.

No matter how excited fans in New York are to wager on a particular game, they’ve been required to travel to one of two locations to place bets:

New York Sports Betting Retail Locations

These locations aren’t convenient for everyone, and traveling to brick-and-mortar shops is an added commitment for sports bettors. In fact, many New Yorkers have been driving into nearby New Jersey just so they can place wagers using mobile sportsbook apps on their personal devices.

When I asked Sen. Addabbo how he felt about New Jersey topping $1 billion in handle for September he said this.

“I felt agita. I was aggravated, because as I see it 25% of that is New York money.”

— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) November 10, 2021

This won’t be a problem for much longer, however. With online NY sports betting set to launch in the coming weeks, New Yorkers will no longer have to travel to the Garden State for mobile wagering. The monthly sports betting handle in New Jersey, which has gone above $1 billion in September and October 2021, will undoubtedly take a bit of a hit as the state of New York reclaims these lost funds.

With sports betting no longer being limited to retail locations, New York is set to see a lot more wagering action from within state borderlines. The convenience of mobile betting will automatically drive the number of wagers up going through the nine sportsbooks expected to be ready at launch.

State Population and Local Pro Teams Will Impact Online NY Sports Betting Popularity

Now that the Empire State can start collecting a higher volume of wagers, there are two factors to consider when trying to determine just how popular sports betting could become in New York:

• State population (over 20 million residents)
• Local pro sports teams (10 pro sports teams from the four largest leagues in North America)

With the fourth-highest state population in the US at just over 20 million residents, the launch of online New York sports betting will encourage many New Yorkers to place wagers. They’ll become the biggest state with legal online sports betting, as the three most populous states ahead of them (California, Texas, Florida) have not opened their markets to major sportsbook operators.

State population isn’t the only factor in determining the popularity of mobile New York sports betting. Consider the fact that New York has a huge number of local pro sports teams, and it quickly becomes clear just how active this market could become.

Local New York Teams Worth Betting On

With 10 pro sports teams from the four biggest leagues all located within the same state, the convenience of mobile sports betting will go hand-in-hand with the numerous local betting options.

As one of the largest pro sports markets anywhere in the world, New York’s 20 million residents are hungry for more wagering opportunities. The launch of online New York sports betting will open the flood gates, creating a new industry that will generate billions of dollars for years to come.

Online New York Sports Betting Set to Launch Soon

The official launch date for online New York sports betting is yet to be determined, but New Yorkers can rest assured—it’s closer than ever before.

The New York State Register recently published an official set of rules and regulations for betting sites in the Empire State. The nine sportsbooks approved by the New York State Gaming Commission will adopt these rules, a strong indication that mobile wagering is ready to launch any day now.

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The moment you've all been waiting for is ALMOST here! 🤑

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— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) December 1, 2021

There’s a chance the launch of mobile NY wagering comes before the end of December 2021, although a January 2022 go-live date is also possible. Either way, New Yorkers can expect to be wagering from the comfort of their couches in time for the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl LVI.

Stay tuned to Sports Betting Dime for more analysis and news leading up to the launch of online New York sports betting.