A New York lawmaker is attempting to ban in-play sports betting with a new bill. It would be the first state to do so if Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal’s proposal gets the necessary support. The first hurdle for A9343 is the Committee on Racing and Wagering.
Live betting is a core part of the regulated sports betting and horse racing industries, so a ban would be a significant move that would significantly hurt operators and tax revenue. New York is already a tough place for operators as they have to deal with a 51% tax rate, the highest in the country.
about 52% of all sports bets on regulated US sportsbooks in 2024 were in-game
In-play betting is popular as it allows people to bet on markets during the games and not just before them. According to data by Optimove, about 52% of all sports bets on regulated US sportsbooks in 2024 were in-game.
A reason for the talk on banning live betting is concern over sports integrity in the light of recent major league scandals. Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers allegedly manipulated their pitches during games so in-game bettors in Puerto Rico could profit. A similar bill filed in the summer in New Jersey cited addiction as the reason for proposing an in-play ban.
