What You Can Typically Bet On in New York: A Practical Guide to Legal Wagering Options

If you are in New York and you want to place a wager, the first useful question is not “what do I feel like betting on?” It is “what is actually offered legally in this state, and through which channels?” New York has a mix of in-person and online wagering options, and the menu of available bets depends on the product type, such as sports betting, horse racing, casino-style games, or lottery.

This guide explains what is typically available to bet on in New York, how each category works in practice, and what common restrictions can affect what you can and cannot wager on. It is written for New York residents and visitors who want a clear, practical overview rather than a legal lecture.

What “available to bet on” means in New York

In New York, “available to bet on” usually depends on three factors: the type of gambling product, whether the wager is placed online or in person, and whether the operator is authorised to take that wager in New York. A “sports bet” generally means a wager on the outcome of a sporting event or related markets, such as totals or player performance, offered by a licensed sportsbook. “Horse racing wagering” usually means pari-mutuel betting, where payouts are determined by the betting pool rather than fixed odds. “Lottery” products are state-run games with fixed rules and odds set by the operator.

Because availability is tied to licensing and product rules, two people standing in the same place can have different options if they are using different platforms. This leads to a simple rule that saves time: check the product category first, then check the operator, then check whether the specific market is listed.

Sports betting in New York: what you can typically wager on

Sports betting is one of the most visible wagering options in New York, particularly through mobile sportsbooks. In practical terms, a sportsbook typically offers markets across major professional leagues, many international sports, and a range of bet types that go beyond simply picking a winner. If your goal is to understand what is commonly available, it helps to think in three layers: the sport, the competition, and the market type.

Commonly offered sports include American football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, football (soccer), tennis, golf, combat sports, motorsport, and other mainstream competitions that have reliable schedules and data. Sportsbooks typically focus on events with strong integrity controls and widely available statistics, because that is what supports pricing, settlement, and customer protection.

Common sports bet types you will usually see

Most New York sportsbooks typically offer a standard set of market types. The names can vary slightly by operator, but the underlying ideas are consistent.

Moneyline or match winner: a wager on which team or competitor wins.
Point spread or handicap: a wager on a team to win by more than a set margin, or to lose by less than a set margin.
Totals (over or under): a wager on whether the combined score is above or below a set number.
Prop bets (propositions): wagers on specific events within a game, such as player statistics.
Futures: wagers on longer-term outcomes, such as a team winning a championship.
Same game parlays: combining multiple selections from the same event into one bet, where offered.
Parlays and accumulators: combining selections across multiple events.
Live betting (in-play): wagering while the event is in progress, where offered.

The practical difference between these bet types is risk and volatility. Parlays and same game parlays usually offer higher potential returns because multiple outcomes must all occur, therefore they also carry a higher chance of losing. Live betting moves quickly, so it suits people who can follow the event and understand that prices change in real time.

College sports and local teams: what to expect

College sports availability can be more limited than professional sports, depending on the specific rules that apply to certain event types and locations. In practice, you may find that some college markets are offered broadly, while others are restricted or not listed at all. If you are specifically looking for a wager involving a New York college team or a college event held in New York, the only reliable method is to check whether the market is actually posted by the licensed sportsbook you are using.

This is one of those areas where the state’s approach tends to be practical rather than sentimental. If a market is not listed, it is usually because the operator is not permitted to offer it, or because the operator has chosen not to offer it for risk and integrity reasons.

Horse racing in New York: what you can typically wager on

Horse racing is a long-standing wagering category in New York, and it is usually offered through pari-mutuel betting. Pari-mutuel wagering means bettors are wagering into pools. The operator takes a set portion, and the remaining pool is paid out to winning tickets. This is different from fixed-odds sports betting, where the price is agreed at the time you place the bet.

In New York, you will typically see wagering on races from New York tracks and races from other jurisdictions, depending on the platform and the racing schedule. Horse racing markets are often more detailed than people expect, and the variety can look like a menu written by someone who really loves acronyms.

Common horse racing bet types

Typical pari-mutuel horse racing bets include:

Win, place, show: betting on a horse to finish first, first or second, or first, second, or third.
Exacta: picking the first two finishers in the correct order.
Trifecta: picking the first three finishers in the correct order.
Superfecta: picking the first four finishers in the correct order.
Quinella: picking the first two finishers in any order.
Daily double and multi-race bets: picking winners across two or more races.

The key practical point is that payouts depend on the pool, therefore the odds you see can change up to post time. If you are used to sports betting, this can feel slightly chaotic at first, but it is normal for pari-mutuel markets.

Casino-style gambling in New York: what is typically available

Casino-style gambling in New York is typically available at land-based casinos and other authorised venues. What you can play depends on the venue, but the usual categories include table games and electronic gaming.

A useful way to think about casino availability is that in-person casino gambling is generally clearer than online casino gambling. If you are physically in a casino, the product offering is visible and straightforward. Online casino-style games, such as online slots or online table games, are not universally available in every state in the same way sports betting is, so you should not assume that “online casino” is part of the standard New York menu unless the state has explicitly authorised it through licensed operators.

Typical in-person casino games and wagers

At many New York casinos, you will typically find:

Table games: such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker variants, depending on the venue.
Slots and electronic gaming: machine-based games with fixed rules.
Poker rooms or poker events: where offered, with rules set by the venue.

Casino wagers are usually simple at the point of purchase. You are betting on an outcome in a defined game with defined rules, and the casino sets the payout structure. If you want the practical takeaway, it is this: in-person casino options are venue-specific, so availability is best confirmed by checking the casino’s current game list rather than relying on general assumptions.

Lottery in New York: what you can typically bet on

The New York Lottery is a state-run product category that typically includes draw games and scratch-off style games. Lottery products are not “sports betting” and do not work like a sportsbook. Instead, the lottery sets the rules, ticket prices, draw schedules, and prize structures.

Typical lottery options include:

Draw games: where numbers are drawn on a schedule and prizes depend on matching results.
Scratch-off games: where outcomes are revealed instantly.
Daily number-style games: where draws occur more frequently.

The practical difference is that lottery bets are usually low-friction and widely available at retail locations, but the bet types are limited to the defined rules of each game. If you are looking for custom markets or flexible bet construction, that is what sportsbooks and racing pools are built for, not the lottery.

Other wagering categories you may see

Depending on the operator and what is authorised, you may also see additional categories that sit adjacent to sports betting.

Esports: competitive video gaming. Availability varies widely by jurisdiction and operator policies.
Novelty or special markets: sometimes offered in some jurisdictions, but often restricted due to integrity and regulatory concerns.

If a category is not listed by a licensed operator, treat that absence as the answer. In regulated markets, “not offered” usually means “not permitted” or “not approved by that operator.”

How to check what you can bet on, step by step

If you want a repeatable method that works across products, use this simple process.

Identify the category: sports betting, horse racing, lottery, or in-person casino gambling.
Use an authorised channel: a licensed sportsbook app for sports, an approved racing platform for pari-mutuel wagering, a retail lottery seller for lottery, or a licensed venue for casino play.
Search the specific event or game: if it is listed, it is typically available to bet on through that operator.
Check market rules and restrictions: some events, bet types, or participant markets may be limited.
Confirm settlement terms: especially for props, live betting, and racing pools, where rules can be more detailed.

This approach avoids the most common frustration, which is trying to force a wager into a category that does not support it.

Common restrictions that affect availability in New York

Even when a category is legal, the specific wager can be restricted. Restrictions usually exist for integrity, consumer protection, or product design reasons. In practical terms, restrictions most often show up around certain college sports markets, certain player props, and certain niche competitions. Operators may also limit markets if data is unreliable, if event coverage is limited, or if settlement rules would be unclear.

Another practical constraint is geography. Availability can depend on whether you are physically located in New York at the time you place the wager, particularly for mobile wagering products that use location checks. If an app cannot confirm you are in the correct location, it may not allow you to place a bet even if you have an account.

What changes next, and how to stay current

Wagering availability changes because regulations evolve, operators update their offerings, and new leagues or competitions gain official data coverage. The most reliable way to stay current is to treat the licensed operator’s market list as the source of truth for what is available today. If you are planning a specific wager, check the markets close to the event time, because listings can appear or disappear based on scheduling, integrity reviews, or operational decisions.

If you prefer a stable routine, focus on the categories that change least in day-to-day life: lottery games with fixed schedules, established sports leagues with regular seasons, and major racing meets with published cards.

Takeaway framework: the New York wagering menu in four buckets

If you want a simple model you can reuse, New York wagering typically falls into four buckets.

Sports betting: fixed-odds wagering on listed sporting events and markets.
Horse racing: pari-mutuel pool betting with payouts determined by the pool.
Lottery: state-run draw and instant games with fixed rules.
In-person casino gambling: venue-based table games and electronic gaming.

When you know which bucket you are in, it becomes much easier to know what is typically available, what is not, and where to look.

FAQ: what you can typically bet on in New York

What sports can you typically bet on in New York?

New York sportsbooks typically offer markets on major professional sports and many international competitions. The exact list depends on the licensed operator and what markets are posted.

Can you typically bet on live games in New York?

Many sportsbooks typically offer live betting (in-play) on selected events. Availability depends on the sport, the event, and the operator’s live trading coverage.

Are player prop bets typically available in New York?

Player prop bets are commonly offered for many major sports, but availability can vary by event and can be restricted for certain competitions.

Can you typically bet on college sports in New York?

Some college sports markets may be offered, but certain college-related wagers can be restricted. The practical check is whether the specific market is listed by the licensed sportsbook.

What is the main difference between sports betting and horse racing betting?

Sports betting is usually fixed odds, meaning the price is agreed when you place the bet. Horse racing wagering is usually pari-mutuel, meaning payouts depend on the pool and can change up to post time.

Is the New York Lottery the same as sports betting?

No. The New York Lottery is a state-run set of draw and instant games with fixed rules. Sports betting is wagering on sporting events through licensed sportsbooks.

How do you know if a specific wager is available to you in New York?

The most reliable method is to check a licensed operator in the relevant category and search for the event or game. If the market is listed, it is typically available through that operator at that time.