Give Sports Bettors More Options, New York Senator Says

State Sen. Joseph Addabbo says he’ll seek changes this year at the Legislature to give New York sports bettors more wagering options.

Currently, people betting on sports in New York can’t wager on some things that are allowed in other states. That includes bets on which player might win the NFL Most Valuable Player award.

Addabbo wants to change that by adding to the legal sports betting offerings that already make New York a top gaming state. Last year, the state collected more than $861 million in tax revenue from mobile NY sports betting alone.

Addabbo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming, and Wagering, said he wants to change the law to boost that number even more.

“I would love for that discussion to occur,” Addabbo, D-Queens, told Gambling.com. “How do you make the current product better?”

The legislative session began Jan. 3 in Albany and is set to conclude June 6.   

Here’s What You Can’t Bet On In New York

Under current law, New York sports bettors are barred from options that exist elsewhere.

In New York, for instance, bettors cannot wager on individual futures awards, such as whether San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will win the NFL MVP award this year, according to Brad Maione, communications director of the New York State Gaming Commission.

However, bettors across the state can put money on a team's potential result down the road. One example would be 2025 March Madness betting. Another would be a wager regarding whether the New York Yankees will win the 2024 World Series, Maione told Gambling.com. 

And, to use two more examples, while bettors can wager on whether LeBron James will score the first basket during the Los Angeles Lakers next game, no one is legally allowed in New York to place a bet on whether the National Anthem will go under or over two minutes at the Super Bowl.

Addabbo said legislation to change things like this has merit.

“If you’re looking for growth, these are credible ideas,” he said.

Along these lines, Addabbo is also seeking to legalize iGaming statewide, telling Gambling.com that New York is losing $1 billion a year to illegal sites and to neighboring states with legal iGaming.

No Sports Betting Tax Discussion Yet  

As Addabbo seeks these changes, the senator said he had not heard any discussion early this legislative session about other major sports betting issues that had previously attracted attention.

For instance, Addabbo said he has heard nothing so far about lowering the 51% tax on online sportsbooks or adding other mobile operators to the current apps available for bettors statewide.