
eSports has risen in popularity in recent years, and it has quickly become a massive industry. With a wide variety of markets, eSports betting has become an option that’s highly in demand from bettors. However, many have been asking whether eSports betting will be legal in New York.
With eSports taking the world by storm, there are tons of operators who are prioritizing the addition of eSports to their New York sportsbook platforms. Bettors are eager to get in on the eSports action, and operators need to take action quickly.
However, it’s much more complicated than that. States have varying regulations regarding eSports betting, and just because sports betting is legal in one state doesn’t necessarily mean that eSports betting is legal. In fact, as of right now eSports betting is only fully legal in four states – Nevada, New Jersey, Tennessee and West Virginia. There is potential for signing up at New Jersey and New York sportsbooks simultaneously due to the geographics, but this is a bit of a grey area right now and will depend on each operator’s T&Cs.
In other states, eSports betting is regulated. This means that there are some rules and restrictions applied to eSports betting, but it’s not illegal. This is much more common around the U.S and the states that regulate eSports betting are: New York, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Rhode Island, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon and Pennsylvania.
New York is the fourth highest earner in states that host eSports. This shows that there is massive demand for this option, as proven in other US states and by the clamor to sign up with top esports operator, DraftKings.
But when it comes down to esports betting, is DraftKings legal in New York? Well, we’re really pleased to tell you that’s a yes! The New York State Gaming Commission has given DraftKings the green light to offer esports betting alongside its sportsbbok.
Proof positive that NY bettors are definitely eager to support eSports betting in New York and elsewhere. New York also hosts one of the most popular eSports tournaments, the ESL One New York. This annual tournament is hosted at the Barclays Center in New York City and is hosted by the largest eSports network in the world.
This is good news for the legalization of eSports betting in New York. With the popular demand of the eSports industry in the state, betting is more likely to become a legal and a common sight in New York.
Four of the most anticipated New York sportsbooks have already launched their websites ahead of schedule. While we’re yet to see eSports betting on these platforms, it could be added in the near future, so keep an eye out for it. You can see the four operators that are already available in New York below:
There are several other sportsbooks that will be opening their virtual doors in New York soon. Whether they will have eSports betting or not remains to be seen, but there are rumors that the Resorts World NY sports betting site is looking right now at adding esports to it’s betting options in other US states, so who knows?
Along with Resorts World, there is a list of other upcoming New York operators that will be launching their own online sportsbooks very soon:
Currently, eSports betting is regulated in New York which means that there is a complicated process that operators need to get through in order to add it to their platform. However, eSports betting is on its way, and we’re sure that all sports betting operators will have access to eSports betting in the near future.
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