Legal online sports betting is up and running throughout the state of New York. FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook and Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers mobile betting apps all went live on Saturday, Jan. 8.
Early indications point towards a big monthly betting handle for the Empire State. As the market continues to expand with five additional mobile sports betting options, so should the betting volume. That group includes WynnBET, BallyBet, BetMGM, PointsBet and Resorts World.
Each of these nine operators have been jockeying for position since they first received permission to enter the legal New York mobile sports betting industry.
Caesars and BetMGM Make an Early Splash
Caesars Sportsbook and BetMGM made the first big splash with separate partnership agreements with the owners of Madison Square Garden this past November. This deal includes partnerships with the NBA’s New York Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers.
Coupled with its early start out of the gate and a lucrative promotional plan for new customer acquisition, it appears that Caesars has the overall edge over the other eight operators in the state.
With Caesars Entertainment as the parent company, Caesars Sportsbook will also benefit from a tie-in with the casino gaming giant’s customer loyalty program. New York sports bettors can earn valuable points for their online sports betting activity through Caesars Rewards.
Other New York Team Sponsorships
The Knicks and Rangers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to professional sports franchises in the state.
The NFL is represented by the New York Giants and the New York Jets even though they play their home games in New Jersey. The NFL’s Buffalo Bills anchor all the football fans in upstate New York.
The Brooklyn Nets are another key NBA franchise in the New York City market. The New York Liberty represents the state in the WNBA.
You can also add the NHL’s New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils to that league’s fan base in and around New York City. The Buffalo Sabres represent the NHL in upstate markets.
Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and New York Mets are two of the most iconic sports franchises in the US.
Certain New York sportsbook operators have been quick to establish partnerships with these teams in an effort to attract sports betting customers. While Caesars and BetMGM have locked up the Knicks, FanDuel has become an official gaming partner of the Nets.
Brooklyn remains the clear betting favorite to win the NBA Championship this season. Led by Kevin Durant, the Nets have one of the highest profiles for a NBA team as far as star power.
The Bills are in the mix for a Super Bowl title this season. This should benefit FanDuel as the team’s official gaming partner.
Existing sportsbook deals with the Giants and the Jets where designed to attract New Jersey bettors. However, new deals are expected to be formed with these teams in New York.
The biggest carrot out there would have to be the Yankees. While the team supported the bid including FanDuel, no formal partnership has been announced.
