New York legislators are preparing a new wave of reforms aimed at tightening oversight of the state’s booming sports betting market, marking a shift from rapid expansion to regulatory control. The proposed measures would target key areas such as advertising limits, consumer protection, and betting integrity.
Since mobile sports betting went live in 2022, New York has become one of the largest markets in the United States, generating billions in annual handle and hundreds of millions in tax revenue. However, lawmakers now argue that growth has outpaced the framework designed to protect players and ensure fair play.
According to early drafts discussed in Albany, the proposed legislation would empower the New York State Gaming Commission to impose stricter rules on operators, including the ability to temporarily suspend betting accounts in cases of suspected manipulation or problem gambling. It would also require more detailed data reporting from sportsbooks, such as real-time tracking of odds adjustments and suspicious betting activity.
Another major focus of the reform is advertising. Lawmakers are seeking to curb aggressive marketing practices, particularly those targeting college campuses and young adults. New rules could limit bonus offers, tighten disclosure standards, and prohibit “risk-free bet” terminology — a trend already seen in other U.S. states like Ohio and Massachusetts.
Supporters of the reform say the industry’s explosive growth demands stronger oversight. “We’ve reached a point where betting is everywhere — on TV, in stadiums, even on college games. It’s time to make sure the system works for consumers, not just corporations,” said one state legislator during hearings this week.
Operators, meanwhile, are warning that overregulation could push bettors toward unlicensed offshore sites, undoing the success of legalization. Yet, regulators maintain that responsible growth is the only sustainable path forward for the state’s $1.5 billion annual market.
The bill is expected to be formally introduced in early 2026, with potential implementation before the end of the year. If approved, New York would join a growing list of jurisdictions pivoting from expansion to integrity enforcement and player protection in the post-legalization era.
