When New York lawmakers convened for the 2026 legislative session on January 7, gambling policy quickly emerged as one of the most actively debated areas. In that context, they introduced several bills addressing sports betting, advertising, player protection, and the expansion of online casinos.
Among the proposals, Legislative Assembly Bill A09343 stands out. The measure would prohibit live sports betting throughout the state, removing one of the most popular features of modern betting sites; furthermore, State Representative Linda Rosenthal co-authored and forwarded the text to the Assembly’s Racing and Betting Committee.
What would Bill A09343 change?
Bill A09343 amends Section 1367 of the New York Racing, Mutual Betting, and Horse Breeding Act. Even so, it would prohibit licensed sports betting companies from accepting “live sports bets” from anyone located in New York.
The proposal also changes the legal definition of “sports betting” to remove live betting from the list of permitted formats. This would mean that betting sites would only offer pre-match bets, such as spreads, totals, moneylines, and accumulators placed before the start of the match.
The draft bill stipulates that it would take effect immediately upon enactment. Therefore, the change would become law as soon as the measure was passed.
Why live betting is gaining relevance in the debate.
“Live” bets are those placed after the match has already started. At the same time, the odds change continuously according to what happens during the game, including live spreads and totals, as well as quick micro-bets linked to individual plays.
Live betting has become a significant revenue driver for modern sports betting sites. In the United States, it now accounts for about half of all sports betting volume; conversely, in established European markets, this figure exceeds 60%, making this format dominant.
This advancement is partly due to the design of sports betting apps. They feature real-time odds updates, push notifications, and fast bet settlement, encouraging repeat bets while matches are in progress.
Arguments for and against the ban.
Proponents of the ban argue that this high-frequency betting environment could accelerate the development of gambling problems. Thus, the model would allow players to attempt to recoup losses or place dozens of bets on a single game.
Critics, however, argue that removing live betting would weaken the regulated market. Instead, they believe that players would migrate to foreign sites or unregulated platforms that continue to offer live betting markets.
New York appears as the state with the highest revenue from sports betting. In 2025, the state recorded several months with more than US$2 billion in betting volume.
How does the proposal fit into a broader regulatory initiative?
The proposal regarding live betting is part of a broader wave of bills concerning gambling. These texts arrived before the session on January 7th and are now being voted on in committees; in addition, other measures under consideration include changes regarding limits, treatment guidelines, and advertising.
Elimination of betting limits
State Representative Alex Bores has introduced a bill that would prevent sports betting sites from restricting access to successful players or those with a high volume of bets.
Referral for treatment of gambling problems
State Representative Carrie Woerner introduced a bill requiring sports betting companies to direct players seeking help to the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS). However, the measure replaces referrals to private treatment providers that may have financial ties to the operators.
Restrictions on advertising
One bill would prohibit advertisements for sports betting companies during live sports broadcasts. Meanwhile, another bill would prohibit such advertisements between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. during live games.
These proposals complement a 2024 law that already requires all gambling advertisements in New York to include warnings about the addictive and harmful effects of gambling.
Online games and online poker are also on the agenda.
While some lawmakers are seeking to tighten rules on sports betting, New York lawmakers have introduced bills that would dramatically expand online gambling.
In the Senate, State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. introduced a measure that would legalize online casino gambling (iGaming).
In the Assembly, Carrie Woerner introduced a similar bill on iGaming and, in addition, a separate proposal to create a regulatory framework for online poker. These parallel approaches show a growing tension in Albany: lawmakers are considering expanding online gambling while simultaneously seeking to regulate sports betting more rigorously.
What comes next?
All bills related to gambling remain in committee for review. Finally, the proposal to ban live betting is likely to generate widespread debate, with strong opposition from industry representatives.
If approved, the bill would represent one of the most significant changes to New York’s sports betting system since the launch of mobile betting, reshaping how millions of bettors interact with regulated bookmakers.