Today’s the Day: Let the New York Mobile Betting Games Begin

After a process of more than 2½ years in Betting Apps NY becoming legal, residents of the Empire State have had their dream realized this morning.

Just after 9 a.m. ET today, New Yorkers had the first opportunity to place their first mobile sports betting wagers over four mobile sports betting platforms (BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook NY, DraftKings New York and FanDuel New York).

Now the largest legalized online sports betting market in the nation, the state of New York couldn’t have hoped for a better start with Week 18 of the NFL regular season starting today with two games, plus a full slate of NBA and NHL action, the third and fourth rounds of the opening PGA Tour weekend and the NCAA College Football National Championship between Alabama and Georgia on Monday night.

Oh yeah ... the NFL Playoffs begin on Saturday, Jan. 15 and the Buffalo Bills will be representing the state. The Bills, by the way, announced a partnership with FanDuel New York this week.

Here are some of the top promotions for new bettors in New York:

At Caesars Sportsbook New York, new users receive a free bet of $300 and first-deposit match of up to $3,000. And there is also a promo for an NBA jersey.

At DraftKings New York, new bettors can get a 20% welcome match deposit bonus worth up to $1,000.

FanDuel New York is offering a risk-free first bet of $1,000 for new bettors in the state.

Check out some of the other New York sports betting promo codes.

Bet Match Up to $250

Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First wager after registration must qualify. Min. Odds: -500. Max. Bonus Bet: $250. Awarded as non-withdrawable Bonus Bet that expires 14 days after receipt. Bonus Bet amount not returned for winning bets. Void where prohibited. See http://Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit http://mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit http://1800gambler.net ; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2025, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER DC, LA: Call 1-800-522-4700 MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)

Upstate Presence Key Factor?

All four of the betting platforms that launched this morning have had a retail sportsbook presence in four upstate casinos in the Empire State: Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols (FanDuel), Rivers Casino in Schenectady (BetRivers New York App), Del Lago Casino in Waterloo (DraftKings) and the Oneida Indian Tribe's Turning Stone Resort in Verona (Caesars).

New York bettors still are awaiting five other mobile sports betting platforms to launch, as nine operators were granted licenses on Nov. 8 by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC). The remaining five are BetMGM NY, Bally Bet, WynnBET NY, Resorts World and PointsBet.

All five are continuing to work toward satisfying statutory and regulatory requirements. Once they meet those requirements, the NYGSC will approve them to launch on a rolling basis.

Bet $5+ Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-522-4700, (800) 327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), or visit http://www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 2/22/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: http://sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 2/15/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

The Survey Says ...

Operators have been salivating at getting into the mobile betting game in New York. That’s because it is the largest state (at 19.4 million population) to begin online wagering.

The three most-populated states in the U.S. (California, Texas and Florida) do not have sports wagering. That isn’t expected to change for some time in California and Texas.

Operators also sense a great deal of enthusiasm among New York bettors. How enthusiastic? Take a look at this survey on EmpireStakes.com.

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!

Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!

Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.