New York sports betting has been a hot topic since May 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA. That decision cleared the way for the massive expansion of legal, regulated sports betting.
Since 2019, New York has permitted retail sports betting, but that was limited to upstate casinos. The aggressive growth nationwide has been almost entirely fueled by mobile sports betting, something New York has lacked — until now.
Mobile sports wagering was incorporated into the state’s 2022 fiscal budget, which former Governor Andrew Cuomo ratified in April 2021. Cuomo’s signature paved the way for state officials to set a launch date for mobile sports betting. That date: Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. And so, as of 9 a.m. ET Saturday, New York will take over as the nation’s largest legal, regulated sports betting jurisdiction. Below is what you need to know about how to get in on the action.
New York Sports Betting: Which Sportsbooks Offer Mobile?
There are nine approved operators in New York, but only four will be online for the Jan. 8 launch: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetRivers. There is no timeline yet for the launch of the other approved mobile operators, including BetMGM, PointsBet, WynnBet, Bally Bet, and Kambi.
Following the lead of highly successful neighbor New Jersey, New York regulations allow for remote registration/deposits/withdrawals. So customers can literally sign up and fund their account from the palm of their hand, while sitting on the couch or riding on the subway.
New York Mobile Sports Betting: How Do I Sign Up?
The answer to this question in part depends on whether you’re already a customer of one of the four operators. If you’re a new customer, you need to:
- Download the mobile app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), or via the sportsbook website (sportsbook.draftkings.com, sportsbook.fanduel.com, caesars.com/sportsbook-and-casino, betrivers.com)
- Register your account
- Make your initial deposit
- Place your bet
BetRivers noted its mobile apps might not be available until next week, but that registration can be done via mobile or computer at betrivers.com.
If you’re an existing DraftKings or FanDuel mobile customer, you literally have nothing more to do — other than be within the state of New York, of course. Upon opening the app, the geolocation will recognize that you’re in New York, and you’ll have access to the New York mobile sports betting market. No fuss, no muss.
“A lot of New Yorkers have gone across the border [to New Jersey] for three years. The app will work in New York just like it has in New Jersey,” said Johnny Avello, DraftKings director of sportsbook operations. “That’s what makes us different and what makes our app so great.”
Who Qualifies For New Customer Promotions?
New York!
Get $100 in free bets when you sign up! No deposit required.
Get ready for tomorrow: https://t.co/e5ksVYbNmd pic.twitter.com/YcHVzNLydv
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) January 7, 2022
As was the case with many states that previously approved mobile sports wagering, all four sportsbooks launching Saturday will offer promotions to new customers.
Of course, for the past three years, countless New York City-area bettors have crossed the Hudson River into New Jersey to make their bets. Many of those same bettors are customers of, say, DraftKings or FanDuel. So, when it comes to New York’s new-customer promos, are these existing bettors eligible for the New York-specific perks?
At FanDuel and DraftKings, the answer is no. You literally need to be a new customer. For example, DraftKings is offering a deposit bonus of up to $1,000 for new customers making their first deposit. Current DK customers — no matter what state they have been wagering from — do not qualify for that bonus.
If you’re an existing customer thinking about creating a second account to nab the promotion, you might want to think twice. A spokesperson for FanDuel said any attempt to create a second account will be denied. In fact, it could appear fraudulent, in which case a customer could see their original account shut down.
Caesars was still working through its promo policy Friday night.
Betting On Convenience
All that said, FanDuel noted that all customers in the New York market (current and newcomers) will have access to special markets and odds boosts. It’s fair to expect other books will do likewise to remain competitive.
For some New York City-area bettors, that’s more than enough. In fact, just not having to cross state lines to place a bet is the most important bonus.
“No matter what the lines are or how much juice they charge, I’m never going to New Jersey again — 1,000 percent,” said Nick Spanos, a New York City sports bettor who regularly makes the trek to a Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot across the river in New Jersey to place his wagers. “Between the tolls, gas, and most importantly my time, why would I go to New Jersey when I can bet from my couch?”
