Date of Publication: May 11, 2026, 03:29h.
Last Modified: May 11, 2026, 03:29h.
- The New York State Gaming Commission is advising the public to wager exclusively with licensed operators.
- State regulators assert that prediction markets should not be utilized for betting on sporting events.
The New York State Gaming Commission is encouraging players to participate only in legal and regulated online gambling overseen by the state.
The state gaming authority has introduced a platform emphasizing that “Unlawful Gambling = Risky Bets.”
This initiative aims to discourage New Yorkers from participating in sweepstakes casinos and unregulated online gambling websites and applications. Furthermore, the NYS Gaming Commission is urging the public to avoid federally regulated prediction markets associated with sports betting.
“Legal, regulated gaming, which is plentiful, features fair bets, player protections, responsible gambling practices, and societal advantages. In contrast, the illegal gambling sector exploits vulnerable players, including youth, who believe they are making legitimate bets in support of unaccountable, unreachable entities,” stated Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer.
“Although the two may appear alike, one clearly stands out as a wise gamble while the other poses a considerable risk,” O’Dwyer added.
Legal online betting options in New York encompass online sports wagering, advanced deposit betting on horse racing, online charitable raffles, interactive fantasy sports, and lottery tickets.
Commission’s Claims on Unregulated Gaming
O’Dwyer noted that the New York State Gaming Commission was directed by Governor Kathy Hochul (D) during her 2026 State of the State address to take preventive measures against the targeting of youth by unregulated offshore gambling applications and websites.
“Let’s take further steps to restrict access to online sports betting, ensuring that our children are not ensnared by addiction early on,” Hochul remarked in January.
In February, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) advised the public that those wishing to place bets on Super Bowl LX should only do so with state-licensed sportsbooks authorized by the New York State Gaming Commission. James emphasized that prediction markets offering bets on the Super Bowl, described by those platforms as “trades,” lack the consumer protections found in the state’s authorized sportsbooks.
In addition to the absence of regulatory standards in unregulated gambling that prevent underage access to their platforms, the state has a financial incentive to keep consumers within the lawful market.
The illegal gambling sector contributes no taxation revenue to the state. The NYS Gaming Commission argues that unauthorized gaming “diverts funds from educational institutions, local governments, and charitable entities.”
Prediction Markets Restricted to Adults
Prediction markets have emerged as a significant player in the US gaming landscape since they started facilitating bets on sports last year. Federal and state lawmakers, along with attorneys general and gaming regulators, contend that such trading qualifies as sports gambling; however, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has endorsed these markets during the latter part of the Trump administration.
Advocates for responsible gaming warn that allowing access to sports betting for teenagers, as prediction markets permit individuals aged 18 and older, could lead to increased instances of gambling-related issues later on. In Pennsylvania, young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 are now the demographic making the highest number of calls to 1-800-GAMBLER.