New York Senate committee approves expansion of sports betting options

A New York Senate committee has unanimously approved a bill to expand the scope of legal sports betting in the state, allowing new types of proposition bets and wagers on major sports awards.  

The bill, Senate Bill 2616, sponsored by Senator Joseph Addabbo, would permit in-game and season-long prop bets, coin toss wagers, and bets on future team and individual honors such as the Heisman Trophy and the NFL MVP award.  

The measure now advances to the full Senate, then the House, and ultimately requires Governor Kathy Hochul’s approval to become law.  

Expanding proposition bets will help expand "an already successful" online sports betting product, Addabbo said.

New York currently prohibits betting on sports awards, joining states like Colorado, Massachusetts, and Virginia in restricting such wagers.  

The proposed expansion comes amid a broader national debate on college player proposition bets, which have faced increasing scrutiny. NCAA President Charlie Baker has called for a nationwide ban on these wagers.

“Prop bets continue to threaten the integrity of competition and lead to student-athletes and professional athletes getting harassed,” Baker said.  

Several states, including Louisiana, Ohio, and Maryland, have already moved to ban college player props.  

New York’s sports betting industry continued to set new records in 2024. The state reported $22.6 billion in wagers, the highest in U.S. history, along with $2 billion in operator revenue and over $1 billion in state tax revenue.

The strong momentum continued into January 2025, with $2.5 billion in handle and $247 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR)—marking the state's biggest single month ever.  

Alongside sports betting expansion, Senator Addabbo is pushing for online casino legalization through Senate Bill 2614. The bill proposes:  

• Licensing eligibility for casinos, video lottery terminal (VLT) parlors, sportsbooks, and tribal operators  

• A $2 million license fee for land-based casino operators  

• A $10 million fee for independent contractors running online platforms  

A similar effort to legalize iGaming in New York failed last year, but Addabbo remains committed to advancing the legislation.  

SB 2616 will now go to the full Senate for a vote, followed by consideration in the House. If approved, it will be sent to Governor Hochul for final ratification.  

Meanwhile, discussions over online casino expansion continue, as lawmakers weigh the potential for increased state revenue against regulatory concerns.