A new bill in New York looks to capitalize on the popularity of prop bets and would allow more flexibility in the types offered.
The New York State Senate is reviewing a bill that seeks to broaden the scope of legal sports betting in the state to possibly include, among other things, more prop betting options.
Senate Bill 2616 (SB 2616) proposes the legalisation of additional types of prop bets, including wagers on season-long outcomes and future award winners in sports.
If passed, the legislation would allow betting on honours such as the Heisman Trophy, Cy Young Award, and NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Additionally, the bill would legalise betting on pre-game coin tosses.
The coin toss has become a popular option for bettors, especially in the Super Bowl. According to BetMGM, it was the most popular non-game prop bet in Super Bowl LIX.
SB 2616 is sponsored by Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (pictured), a leading advocate for gaming expansion in New York.
On 11 February, the bill was brought before the Senate Racing and Wagering Committee, where it received unanimous approval. The committee’s vote amended the existing Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering, and Breeding Law to incorporate these new betting options.
The bill must now advance through the Senate before proceeding to the New York State Assembly. If approved by both legislative bodies, it will require Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature to become law.
The text of the proposal emphasises that the expansion of proposition bets would build upon the success of the state’s current online sports betting system.
The legislation highlights New York’s rapid growth as a major market for mobile sports wagering, noting that revenue generated from the industry has contributed significantly to education funding in the state.
New York’s biggest gambling supporter
Sen. Addabbo has been instrumental in shaping New York’s gambling policies. In 2022, he introduced legislation aimed at legalising iGaming and was a key figure in the push for legal online sports betting.
His efforts culminated in the passage of laws allowing digital sports betting in April 2021, with mobile sportsbooks launching in New York on 8 January 2022.
In addition to SB 2616, the Senate recently passed another gambling-related measure, Senate Bill 2613 (S2613). This bill concerns the privacy of lottery winners in New York.
Under its provisions, the state would be required to keep a winner’s identity confidential unless the individual opts to publicly disclose their information. This measure is aimed at protecting winners from potential security risks associated with public exposure.
If SB 2616 is enacted, bettors in New York will gain access to a broader range of legal betting markets. Currently, the state prohibits betting on sports awards, a restriction shared by a few other states, including Colorado, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
The proposed legislation would change that, but only for sports-related honours. Betting on non-sporting awards, such as the Academy Awards, would remain illegal.