Ever since New York legalized sports betting, upstate brick-and-mortar casinos have been taking bets. While online and mobile sports betting remains prohibited, that could be changing soon. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has expressed some support for mobile sports betting recently, and the state could legalize it in 2021.
With in-person betting already available at physical sportsbooks, though, that means it’s possible to bet on the NFL in New York. The NFL is easily the most popular sports betting option in the US. This page will cover the online sportsbooks likely to begin operating in New York if the state legalizes online betting, along with NFL betting basics, live betting and some history, as well.
Betting on the NFL in New York
The NFL is by far the most popular league for sports betting. It can also be one of the best for new bettors to get into. Betting on NFL games offers the same basic wagers that you’ll see for other sports, including basics such as moneylines, point spreads, totals, props, parlays and futures.
New sports bettors should be aware of shopping for lines across different books. This means that other sportsbooks will have different odds for the same wagers. To show an example of this, here is a table with some offseason lines on various New York teams to win the Super Bowl.
| NFL Team | DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | PointsBet | BetRivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | +1200 | +1100 | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Giants | +6600 | +7000 | +6500 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Jets | +8000 | +6500 | +8000 | +8500 | +8000 |
Potential NFL betting apps for New York
With mobile sports betting potentially on the horizon in New York, here is a look at the betting apps most likely to appear first after legalization:
DraftKings Sportsbook app
One of the most popular sportsbooks in the United States, DraftKings offers an easy-to-navigate platform and has an excellent app. It provides 24/7 customer support via live chat and also offers excellent guides that outline sports betting basics. DraftKings Sportsbook also has up-to-date analysis of NFL games and provides highly competitive lines. With its simple-to-use app and site, this is an ideal sportsbook for new gamblers.
FanDuel Sportsbook app
FanDuel is another of the most popular sportsbook in legal states. It consistently offers competitive odds on NFL games and has several beneficial features, including odds boosts to increase the odds of certain NFL games, increasing potential payouts.
The Duel is FanDuel Sportsbook’s in-house blog that provides analysis for NFL games, and the site consistently has great prop bets for NFL games. It also has some solid bonuses for new and existing users.
BetMGM Sportsbook app
MGM Resorts International began setting the groundwork for BetMGM in July 2018. In 2019, BetMGM opened its first live online sportsbook in New Jersey. It has since launched in nine other states and is a popular option wherever it goes. The simple-to-navigate BetMGM app and website make it easy for beginning gamblers. It also provides competitive NFL lines and posts them relatively early.
PointsBet Sportsbook app
PointsBet is an Australian company that is becoming one of the fastest-growing sportsbooks in the United States. It does everything in-house, which helps with app stability and security, and the interface is smooth and extremely easy to navigate.
PointsBet Sportsbook also has a distinct feature all its own with PointsBetting. PointsBetting makes some big payouts possible, but also some big losses. Essentially, it pays more the more your bet covers by, but the more you miss by, the more you lose.
BetRivers Sportsbook app
BetRivers is another popular sportsbook in legal states. Its app and website are simple and easy to use. It also offers a variety of banking options for easy payouts, and it has a massive FAQ section that can be helpful for new and experienced sports bettors alike.
BetRivers Sportsbook offers large NFL wagers with competitive odds. The thing that sets BetRivers apart from other sportsbooks is its VIP program, iRush, which rewards users simply for placing wagers on BetRivers’ online site and app.
Is NFL betting legal in New York?
NFL betting became legal in New York after the US Supreme Court overturned the federal sports betting in 2018. There are some stipulations to NFL betting in New York, however. For one, you may only place wagers at brick-and-mortar locations with legal sportsbooks. All of these locations are currently in upstate New York. Mobile and online sports betting are not yet legal, meaning you currently cannot use websites or apps to bet in New York.
Football betting basics
When it comes time to place wagers, you’ll have a variety of betting options for NFL games.
Point spread
Point spread betting is one of the most popular NFL wagers. This form of betting aims to provide a more even playing field between two teams. It does this by removing points from the favorite and adding points to the underdog. The points removed and added will always be the same for each team. The odds are also almost always -110 on both sides or close to that.
- New York Giants -2.5
- New York Jets +2.5
The Giants have to win by more than 2.5 points to win the bet. The Jets need to avoid losing by more than 2.5 points to win the bet.
Moneyline
For a moneyline bet, you are wagering on a team to win the game outright. The odds are negative for favorites and positive for underdogs. Odds are not even for each team, so be sure to make smart wagers.
- New York Giants -260
- New York Jets +195
Totals (over/unders)
In a totals bet, the sportsbook will set a line, and you can wager if the final combined score from both teams will be over or under that line. Again, odds on both sides will hover around -110.
- Over 47.5
- Under 47.5
Futures
Futures can be some of the most interesting NFL bets. These wagers allow you to place bets on more distant outcomes, such as which team will win the division , conference or Super Bowl. Futures bets can have some of the highest NFL odds available, but also are risky. The table above shows an example, with Super Bowl odds for the three New York teams.
Proposition bets
Proposition bets, aka prop bets, typically have nothing to do with the final score and focus more on individual or team-based stats. Some common prop bets include over/under yards or touchdowns for an individual player, and which team will score first.
Every year the Super Bowl has a fun and extensive list of prop bets for sports bettors. Some common Super Bowl props include which team will win the coin toss, national anthem length and what color Gatorade will be poured on the winning coach.
Live betting
Live betting has become a widely popular way to wager on NFL games. Live betting allows you to place wagers during a game. This provides flexibility to sports bettors, as you no longer have to make picks before the game begins. The odds change significantly depending on how a game plays out. It is important to watch lines when betting live, as they can change quickly.
How does the NFL season work?
The NFL season is made up of three distinct sections. The preseason is a series of practice games before the start of the regular season. These games do not affect teams’ records and are mainly used as live scrimmages to prepare for the regular season. The preseason can be challenging to wager on, as starters play limited snaps, and most of the players have limited experience. Lines can be far off from reality. People tend to be excited about the season and wager these games like regular-season games when they are not.
The regular season makes up the bulk of the NFL season, and traditionally has been 16 games per team over 17 weeks, though that could rise to 17 games per team in 2021. These games matter, and having a solid record is the only way to get to the postseason. Betting lines for these NFL games are usually the most accurate out of all games and become increasingly more accurate as the season progresses. Favorites are usually more clear during this stretch, but point spread lines usually stay fairly small. This is, of course, unless the two teams are heavily mismatched.
The postseason is the most exciting section of the NFL season. Both the NFC and AFC each have seven teams (four division champions and three wild card teams) enter the postseason. There is the wild card round, the divisional round, conference championships and the Super Bowl. Considering the postseason is the best of the best, and much more is on the line in every game, the point spread lines tend to be rather small. See our guide to betting on the NFL playoffs for tips and strategies for postseason NFL betting.
NFL gameday schedule
The NFL regular season usually begins in early September. For the 2021-22 season, it will kick off Sept. 9. While most games are played during the day on Sunday, there are a few primetime games each week.
First, there is Sunday Night Football, which comes on after 7 p.m. ET. Monday Night Football is perhaps the biggest prime time slot each week for NFL games. MNF consistently gets the most viewers, and it is the final game of the NFL slate each week.
Finally, Thursday Night Football kicks off the NFL’s slate of games for that week. These games are usually scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET.
New York NFL teams and rivals
New York is a major sport state, with multiple professional teams in every sport. For football, New York has three NFL teams: the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and New York Jets, though the latter two play their home games in New Jersey.
The Buffalo Bills have been in the NFL for 61 seasons (1960-2020) and are currently a member of the AFC East. The Bills’ division rivals are the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets. Over their history, the Bills have made the Super Bowl four times, the last time being in Super Bowl 28, where they lost to the Dallas Cowboys. The Bills are 0-4 all-time in the Super Bowl.
The New York Giants are one of the oldest teams in all of the NFL, as they have been around for 96 seasons (1925-2020). They are currently a member of the NFC East. Their division rivals are the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Football Team. Through their long history, the Giants have reached the Super Bowl five times. Their last time being Super Bowl 46, where they defeated the New England Patriots. The Giants are 4-1 all-time in the Super Bowl.
The New York Jets entered the NFL in the same expansion as the Bills and have also played 61 seasons (1960-2020). They are also a member of the AFC East, and their division rivals are the Dolphins, Patriots and Bills. Throughout their history, the Jets have only appeared in the Super Bowl once, all the way back in Super Bowl 3, where they defeated the Baltimore Colts.
Notable NFL players from New York
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski, nicknamed “Gronk,” is an NFL tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gronkowski was born in Amherst, New York, on May 14, 1989. He is a four-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Pro Bowler and four-time first team all-pro selection.
Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley is an NFL running back for the New York Giants. Barkley was born in the Bronx, New York, on Feb. 9, 1997. He was the second overall pick in the 2018 draft, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018.
Vinny Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde is a retired NFL quarterback who played for several teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Jets. Testaverde was born in Brooklyn on Nov. 13, 1963. Through his 21 seasons in the NFL, he was a two-time Pro Bowler. In college, playing for Miami, he won a national championship (1983) and Heisman Trophy (1986).
NFL betting tips
There are a few key aspects to making smart NFL bets. Here are some basics NFL betting tips and strategy advice :
1. Research
To start, you must do your research. You need to read about games, follow injury reports and, most importantly, check statistics. Nothing will prepare you for NFL betting like proper statistical research.
2. Watch games
Second, you have to watch games. Watching games allows you to see stats in action and watch it all play out with your own eyes. The more games you watch, the more you will understand, which will help to make smart bets.
3. Monitor bankroll
Finally, you need to be in control of your bankroll. Most gamblers say anywhere from 1% to 5% of your bankroll is what you should place on a single wager. This will help prevent you from putting all your money into one play. It will also provide enough capital to push through those inevitable losing streaks.
NFL betting mistakes to avoid
While tips are nice, avoiding betting mistakes will probably save you more money than anything. Here are some of the top betting mistakes to avoid:
1. Chasing your bets
Never chase your bets. New and experienced gamblers alike tend to try to make up for losses by betting bigger on the next game. This is a fast way to deplete your bankroll completely. Continue placing the same amount on all wagers. Sports betting requires patience, and you will have some losing streaks, but again never chase your bets.
2. Betting too much/betting every game
Again, try to stick to only betting 1% to 5% of your bankroll on a single play. Another major issue gamblers have is betting on way too many games. While it may seem smart to diversify and spread your plays out, you set yourself up for failure. Do not place wagers on every single game just because you can.
3. Betting with your heart instead of using stats/data
This is a major problem for all sports bettors. We always want to believe in our favorite teams, which can be a fast track to losing money. You should only ever place wagers based on actual stats and data. Try to avoid betting on your favorite teams altogether, but if you want to, make sure it is a data-backed play.