A New York Senate committee took a significant step Tuesday (Feb. 11), approving a bill that would expand the state’s sports betting market. The legislation, SB 2616, sponsored by state senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., would legalize season-long proposition bets and wagering on future award winners like the Heisman Trophy. It also includes a provision to allow betting on pre-game coin tosses.
The bill passed unanimously, a strong indication of support. But there’s still a road ahead—SB 2616 must clear the full Senate and Assembly before reaching Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk for final approval. If signed into law, the measure would further cement New York’s status as a dominant player in the U.S. sports betting industry.
A Booming Market That Keeps Expanding
New York has quickly become a leader in mobile sports betting, and state lawmakers see no reason to slow down. The bill’s language emphasizes how adding more betting options would “expand on an already successful” sports gambling industry.
Senator Addabbo, a long-time advocate for gaming expansion, has been instrumental in shaping New York’s betting landscape. His previous efforts led to the legalization of online sports betting in 2021, which officially launched in January 2022. Since then, the state has consistently ranked at or near the top of the U.S. in total betting handle and tax revenue.
And it’s not just about profits—New York has funneled significant betting revenue into public education programs, a key selling point for further expansion.
Proposition Bets Stir Debate
While New York moves forward, some states remain hesitant about proposition betting. Currently, around 15 states restrict or outright ban certain types of props.
A few examples:
- Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia do not permit college player prop bets.
- The NCAA has raised concerns about player-specific wagers leading to harassment and integrity issues.
- NCAA president Charlie Baker has advocated for a nationwide ban on college proposition bets, arguing they pose a threat to fair competition.
It’s a controversial issue, and some states, like North Carolina, have tried to introduce legislation to restrict such bets. But so far, there’s no federal mandate prohibiting them.
Sports Awards Betting—A Rare Move for New York
One of the biggest changes in SB 2616 is its allowance for betting on individual sports awards. This means gamblers could place wagers on winners of:
- The Heisman Trophy (college football)
- The Cy Young Award (MLB’s top pitchers)
- The NFL’s Most Valuable Player
However, the bill explicitly keeps non-sports award betting off the table—so don’t expect to see odds on the Academy Awards or Grammy winners anytime soon.
New York’s current stance on awards betting puts it in a small minority of states. Only a handful—Colorado, Massachusetts, and Virginia among them—still prohibit wagers on these types of honors. If the bill clears all hurdles, the Empire State will join the growing list of jurisdictions that allow it.
Lottery Winners’ Privacy Bill Also Moves Forward
The New York Senate committee didn’t just focus on sports betting Tuesday. Lawmakers also passed SB 2613, a bill that would protect the identities of lottery winners.
Under the proposal, the state would keep a winner’s identity private unless the person consents to being publicly named. This is a major shift from current rules, which often require disclosure.
For jackpot winners, that could mean fewer unwanted phone calls, less public scrutiny, and better security. Many other states, including Texas and New Jersey, already have similar privacy protections in place.
What’s Next?
With unanimous committee approval, SB 2616 now advances to the full Senate. If it clears that hurdle, it moves to the Assembly, where it must also pass before heading to the governor’s desk.
Given New York’s track record of embracing sports betting, the bill has a strong chance of success. If signed into law, bettors could soon have more options than ever—just in time for the next Heisman Trophy race.
