Commissioners of the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) have issued a letter to all professional sports leagues currently participating in sports wagering, serving as a reminder of the Empire State’s heightened wagering restrictions.
The NYSGC began the letter by addressing all commissioners and leaders, having said, “As you are certainly aware, recent high-profile incidents involving athletes and gambling have caused significant alarm across the sports and gaming industries.
“Thankfully, the strong regulatory measures established by regulators to protect the betting public appear to have worked: the schemes were uncovered and the individuals allegedly responsible are being held accountable for their actions.”
The regulator called attention to recent betting scandals involving propositional wagers and match-fixing, as well as the requests already made by certain league commissioners as a result.
“However, these safeguards alone cannot stop compromised professional athletes – or any individuals - from engaging in nefarious and illegal acts that undermine the integrity of sports gambling,” the NYSGC said.
“We have heard sports league leaderships’ call for change. One league commissioner called for the reduction or elimination of certain types of player proposition wagers. Another league sought to implement a cap on the amount wagered on the actions of a specific position. These are positive steps, but more can be done.
“The leagues that oversee the day-to-day activities of their players serve an important role in preserving the integrity of the sport and wagers. You have the ability to provide substantial input regarding the wagering menu.”
Unlike many states which have legalized sports betting in the US, the NYSGC authorizes which offerings are made available on respective sportsbooks and the leagues that can be accepted for wagering.
The regulator went on to state many of the specific propositional wagers which leagues have found to be “problematic” had previously been outlawed in New York. The NYSGC said it will continue to be “very conservative” with which leagues and types of wagers are authorized.
The Commission has also begun re-examining all individual player proposition bets which are “game specific” and multi-leg player parlays for individual matchups.
The NYSGC granted final approval for three casino licenses in New York City in December 2025, clearing the way for developments to begin in the Bronx and Queens following a decisive vote
