Live Betting Ban Proposal Opens 2026 Session

New York Lawmakers Propose Banning Live Sports Betting

New York Lawmakers Open 2026 Session With Proposal to Ban Live Sports Betting

As New York lawmakers convened for the 2026 legislative session on January 7, gambling policy quickly emerged as one of the most active areas of debate, with multiple bills introduced covering sports betting, advertising, player protections, and online casino expansion.

Updated on 9 January 2026

Assembly Bill A09343 Targets In-Play Wagering

One proposal that stands out is Assembly Bill A09343. The measure would ban in-play (live) sports betting statewide — eliminating one of the most popular features of modern sportsbooks. The bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, has been referred to the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee.

What A09343 Would Do

A09343 amends Section 1367 of New York’s Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law. It would prohibit licensed sportsbooks from accepting “in-play sports wagers” from anyone located in New York.

It also changes the statutory definition of “sports wagering” to remove in-play bets from the list of permitted wagering formats. That means sportsbooks would only offer pre-game betting — spreads, totals, moneylines, and parlays placed before a game begins.

The bill is written to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Why Live Betting Is Important

“In-play” betting refers to wagers placed after a game has started. The odds are constantly updating based on what is happening during the game. These bets include everything from live point spreads and totals to rapid-fire micro-bets tied to individual plays.

Live wagering has become a key revenue driver of modern sportsbooks. In the U.S., in-play bets now account for roughly half of all sports betting handle. Meanwhile, in mature European markets, that figure reaches above 60%. That makes live betting the dominant form of wagering.

That growth has been driven in part by sportsbook app design, which emphasizes real-time odds updates, push notifications, and rapid bet settlement, encouraging repeated wagering while games are in progress.

Supporters of banning this type of wager argue that this high-frequency betting environment can accelerate problem gambling by allowing players to chase losses or place dozens of wagers in a single game.

Critics counter that removing live betting would fundamentally weaken the regulated market, prompting players to shift toward offshore sites or unregulated platforms that continue to offer in-play markets.

Notably, New York is the highest-grossing state in terms of sports betting. In 2025, the state recorded multiple months with over $2 billion in handle.

Part of a Broader Regulatory Push

The live-bet proposal is part of a broader wave of gambling legislation lawmakers prefiled ahead of the January 7 session and are now activating in committee. Several other active gambling bills include:

  • Eliminating betting limits: Assemblymember Alex Bores introduced a bill that would prevent sportsbooks from restricting successful or high-volume players.
  • Problem gambling referrals: Assemblymember Carrie Woerner has introduced legislation requiring sportsbooks to direct players seeking help to the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) rather than private treatment providers that may have financial ties to operators.
  • Advertising restrictions: One bill would ban sportsbook ads during live sports broadcasts. Meanwhile, another would prohibit such ads between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. during live games.

Those proposals build on a 2024 law already requiring all gambling ads in New York to include warnings about the addictive and harmful effects of gambling.

iGaming and Online Poker Also in Play

While some lawmakers aim to tighten sports betting laws, 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 gaming (iGaming). In the Assembly, Carrie Woerner has filed a companion iGaming bill and a separate proposal creating a regulatory framework for online poker.

The parallel tracks highlight a growing tension in Albany: lawmakers are considering broadening online gambling while simultaneously moving to regulate sports betting more closely.

What Comes Next

All gambling-related bills remain in committee for review. The live betting proposal is likely to be a highly debated topic, with industry stakeholders likely to raise opposition.

If enacted, the bill would mark one of the most consequential changes to New York’s sports betting system since mobile wagering launched — reshaping how millions of bettors engage with regulated sportsbooks.