What Events Will New Yorkers Be Able to Bet On?

Before this week, uncertainty surrounded the official launch of New York sports betting. February was regularly rumored, which would allow its residents to bet on the Super Bowl.

But the betting world received welcoming news when the New York Gaming Commission approved Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel and BetRivers to begin accepting wagers on Saturday at 9 a.m. ET.

New Yorkers will now be able to bet on some of the notable sporting events. Here are some of the biggest sporting events on which New Yorkers can bet.

College Football National Championship Betting

A week ago, most New Yorkers probably didn’t think they would be able to wager on the highest-profile college football betting option of the year, the national championship between Georgia and Alabama. But with the state going live with online sports betting this weekend, it now becomes the first marquee contest eligible for wagering in New York.

Monday’s national title is a rematch from the SEC Championship game, which Alabama won handily 41-24. Both teams dominated their semifinal matchups to reach the title contest, with Georgia beating Michigan 34-11 and Alabama defeating Cincinnati 27-6.

Georgia is currently a 3-point favorite over the Crimson Tide and –145 on the moneyline. Alabama is a +125 moneyline underdog.

NFL Playoffs, Super Bowl Betting

The NFL annually draws the largest handle throughout the country, and now New Yorkers will be able to bet on the biggest games of the season, starting with the wild card playoff games next week.

Betting on the postseason is a welcome addition after initial launch plans only included ensuring online sports betting was live just before the Super Bowl. Now, New Yorkers can have a stake in each round of the postseason leading up to the Super Bowl.

It will be interesting to see what New York’s addition means to the Super Bowl betting landscape. Last year, the American Gaming Association estimated that 23.2 million people bet around $4.3 billion on Super Bowl LV between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Expect that number and nationwide handles to increase with New York joining in the Super Bowl betting frenzy.

Betting on the Winter Olympics

This year’s Winter Olympics run Feb. 4-20. The Olympics are a popular recreational betting sport given the number of sports and medal possibilities bettors can wager on.

As the Olympics draw near, expect more betting options to become available on each of the sportsbooks that are launched in New York.

Right now, the only Winter Olympic betting option at DraftKings New York is what country will win the most gold medals. Norway is the current favorite at –500, while the United States is at +1200.

March Madness

New Yorkers had to be hopeful that if operators and the state’s gaming commission were targeting the Super Bowl for an online launch, it would be a safe assumption they would be able to bet on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

Still, it is reassuring to now know New York’s online sportsbooks will be taking action during March Madness.

But there are restrictions on New York bettors. Like limitations in New Jersey, they won’t be able to place bets on in-state teams such as Syracuse, St. John’s, Army or Buffalo.

Bettors also can’t place wagers on any college contests taking place in the state, even if the game includes out-of-state schools. This means this year’s first and second-round matchups of the men’s tournament held in Buffalo are not eligible to be bet on.