New York Considers Banning Live Sports Betting in 2026

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Proposed Live Betting Ban in Sports: A Response to Betting Scandals?

As 2025 closed, notable discussions in sports betting focused on recent scandals involving live betting in the NBA and Major League Baseball. New York State, a significant player in the legal sports betting market, is contemplating stringent measures in response. Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal has proposed a bill that could potentially ban live betting on all games in New York.

This potential ban is monumental, considering that live betting accounts for a significant portion of sportsbooks' revenue, sometimes reaching 70 to 80% of total bets placed on games. This segment of the market has seen extensive growth due to considerable investment by sportsbooks.

The push for such legislation appears to be a reaction to various betting scandals. For instance, the Cleveland Guardians' pitchers were implicated in a scandal where they allegedly pitched in a way that would benefit specific live bet actions. This led to Ohio's governor proposing a ban on all micro bets, which include quick-lived bets such as the next pitch in baseball or the next drive in the NFL.

Moreover, recent restrictions have emerged from other major leagues like the NBA, which is reassessing its stance on player prop betting, especially after issues like the Jonte Porter scandal. The league has already adjusted its policies to no longer offer player props on athletes on short-term, 10-day contracts or two-way contracts to mitigate risks of abuse by bettors.

The proposed measures by New York and other states highlight a growing trend of tightening regulations in sports betting in response to integrity concerns. While it's uncertain if New York will indeed enact a full ban on live betting, the introduction of this bill marks a significant shift in the approach towards sports betting regulation.

We will continue to monitor the progress of this bill and further developments in sports betting regulations through the year.