NHL Betting: The Best Online Sportsbooks in New York for Hockey

New York is the largest legal sports betting market in the nation. The Empire State launched online betting on January 8, 2022, and immediately became the highest-handle market in the country. New York generated over $2.2 billion in monthly wagers at its peak, dwarfing every other state. New York is home to three NHL franchises, the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres, creating one of the most passionate hockey markets in the nation.

Is NHL Betting Legal in New York?

Yes. New York legalized mobile sports betting through S8009/A10505 in April 2021. Online betting launched on January 8, 2022, at 9:00 AM ET.

Quick facts:

You must be 21 or older. The New York State Gaming Commission (NYGC) regulates all sports betting activity. New York currently has 9 licensed online sportsbooks (8 active): FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, Fanatics, BetRivers, ESPN BET, Bally Bet, and Resorts World Bet (closed June 2025). Full remote registration allowed, no need to visit physical locations. New York permits betting on college sports with no restrictions on in-state teams (Syracuse, St. John's). New York imposes a 51% tax on sports betting revenue, the highest in the nation.

Read more: Best Sports Betting Bonuses and Promos in New York

Market structure: New York's market uses a "Super Bid" structure. Operators were required to partner and submit joint bids. FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Bally Bet submitted a "Super Bid" that was accepted.

Market dominance: FanDuel and DraftKings combined account for approximately 67% of all NY online sports betting handle and 72% of gross gaming revenue.

Legal, regulated betting with 8 active operators and the nation's largest handle.

Top Sportsbooks for NHL Betting in New York

New York's loaded with options. Here's where to bet hockey based on what matters most.

FanDuel Sportsbook

New York Status: Launched January 8, 2022 (~40% market share)

FanDuel is the #1 sportsbook in New York with approximately 40% market share. Sharp puck line pricing, extensive player props, responsive live betting, and the best NHL same-game parlays. Generated $28.4 million in revenue in one week (ending Nov. 23, 2025) using a 13.5% hold. Phenomenal mobile app with real-time goalie and injury updates.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins.

Best for: All New York hockey bettors, FanDuel is the dominant choice.

Shurzy Tip: FanDuel's SGP builder is clutch for Rangers, Islanders, and Sabres games. Stack player props with game outcomes, anytime goal scorer + team moneyline + over/under. Build your edge in one bet.

DraftKings Sportsbook

New York Status: Launched January 8, 2022 (~27% market share)

DraftKings is the #2 sportsbooks in New York with approximately 27% market share. Excels at player props (drawing on DFS expertise). Shots on goal, assists, blocked shots markets are deep. Flash Bets allow rapid in-game wagering. Shared wallet between DFS and sportsbook.

Welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $200 in bonus bets + 3 months NBA League Pass.

Best for: Prop-focused bettors and DFS players.

Shurzy Tip: DraftKings' Flash Bets are clutch for live betting. Quick one-tap wagers during power plays or momentum shifts, no fumbling through menus while the game's moving.

Caesars Sportsbook

New York Status: Launched January 8, 2022 (~10% market share)

Caesars offers sharp NHL pricing and the industry's best loyalty program, Caesars Rewards. Daily odds boosts on select markets. Great user experience.

Welcome offer: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings on Your Next 20 Bets (code CBS20X).

Best for: Bettors seeking loyalty rewards and long-term value.

Shurzy Tip: Caesars' 20 profit boosts are money. Use them on Rangers, Islanders, or Sabres moneylines or player props, double your winnings on bets you'd make anyway.

BetMGM

New York Status: Launched January 8, 2022 (~7% market share)

BetMGM is the best NY sportsbook for parlay betting. Many parlay betting options. "One Game Parlay" feature is excellent for hockey SGPs.

Welcome offer: No welcome bonus currently available in New York.

Best for: Parlay enthusiasts.

Fanatics Sportsbook

New York Status: Launched 2024 (~4% market share)

Fanatics offers the FanCash rewards program, earn cash back on every bet. Get up to $200 back in FanCash every day for 10 straight days if your bet loses (up to $2,000 total). Strong same-game parlay markets.

Welcome offer: Bet $50, Get $250 FanCash (code CBSFAN).

Best for: High-volume bettors seeking rewards.

Shurzy Tip: Fanatics' $2,000 FanCash offer is clutch for high-volume bettors. Lose a bet, get FanCash back, use it for more bets or gear. That's a safety net most books don't offer.

Read more: NFL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Football Season

NHL Bet Types in New York

New York sportsbooks offer the full spectrum of NHL bets. Here's what you can play.

Moneyline Betting

Pick the winner, straight up. Shop for best pricing across NY's 8 active books, FanDuel and DraftKings maintain particularly sharp lines.

Puck Line (-1.5 / +1.5 and alternates)

Hockey's spread with alternative lines available. Favorites must win by 2+ goals (-1.5), underdogs get a 1.5-goal cushion.

Shurzy Tip: With 8 sportsbooks in NY, puck line shopping matters. A -110 at FanDuel might be -105 at DraftKings. Over a season, those nickels add up. Don't be lazy, shop around.

Total Goals (Over/Under with alternatives)

Usually set between 5.5 and 6.5 goals per game with alternative totals.

Player Props

The fastest-growing NHL market. Anytime goal scorer, shots on goal (extensive ranges), assists, saves (goalies), power play points, blocked shots. DraftKings offers the deepest menus.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About NBA Prop Betting

Period Betting

Bet specific periods: 1st-period moneyline, 1st-period total, 2nd-period total, 3rd-period moneyline.

Shurzy Tip: Period betting is underrated for tight games. If you're expecting a defensive slugfest, bet the first-period under instead of the full game. You dodge empty-net chaos and overtime coin flips.

Team & Game Props

Team total goals, both teams to score, overtime (yes/no), winning margin, race to 3 goals. Available across all major NY books.

NHL Parlays & Same Game Parlays

Standard parlays and SGPs. FanDuel is the best NY sportsbook for same-game parlays.

NHL Futures Betting

Stanley Cup winner, Conference winners, division winners, Hart/Vezina/Calder Trophy odds. Available on all major NY books.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

NHL Betting Bonuses & Promos in New York

New York's 51% tax rate limits promotional aggressiveness compared to lower-tax states, but value still exists. Here's what to watch for.

• Welcome Bonuses: Active sportsbooks offer new customer promotions. Current highlights include FanDuel's Bet $5, Get $150 if your bet wins, DraftKings' Bet $5, Get $200 + NBA League Pass, Caesars' double winnings on next 20 bets, Fanatics' Bet $50, Get $250 FanCash, and ESPN BET's Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets. BetMGM currently has no welcome bonus in NY.
• Rangers/Islanders/Sabres Promotions: FanDuel and DraftKings frequently offer New York hockey team-specific boosts and promotions.
• Parlay Profit Boosts: Occasional boosts on 3+ leg NHL parlays across multiple books.
• Playoff Specials: Stanley Cup Playoffs bring enhanced promotional activity across all books.

Shurzy Tip: New York's 51% tax limits promotional value compared to states like New Jersey. Focus on finding +EV bets rather than chasing promos. The best value in NY comes from line shopping, not bonus hunting.

Expert NHL Betting Tips for New York Bettors

Here's how to bet smarter on hockey in New York's massive market.

1. Leverage Rangers/Islanders/Sabres Knowledge: New York bettors following local teams have an edge. Use insight on roster changes, goalie workload, team momentum before national markets adjust.
2. Watch Goalie Announcements Closely: A backup goalie can flip a line 2-3 goals instantly. NY's sharp books update quickly, check official team sources 30 minutes before puck drop.
3. Consider Back-to-Back Situations: Teams playing consecutive nights face fatigue. The team on night two of a back-to-back allows more goals. Factor this into totals and puck lines.
4. Shurzy Tip: Back-to-backs hit different in hockey. If a team's on the second night and traveling, fade them hard. Books price it in somewhat, but casual bettors sleep on this edge, especially late season.
5. Track Pace & Expected Goals (xG): Raw win/loss records can mislead. Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality and predicts future performance. Free resources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey.
6. Home-Ice Advantage Isn't Massive: NHL home advantage is modest, roughly 3-4% edge in win percentage. MSG (Rangers), UBS Arena (Islanders), and KeyBank Center (Sabres) provide some advantage, but don't overweight home teams.
7. Look for Underdog Value: NHL's low scoring creates frequent underdog wins. Moneylines and +1.5 puck lines often offer value overlooked by casual bettors.
8. Shop NY's Market: With 8 active sportsbooks, check at least 3 books before betting. Price discrepancies exist even in NY's mature market.

Note: bet365 Not Available: Unlike New Jersey, bet365 is not licensed in New York. For live betting, use FanDuel or ESPN BET instead.

How to Start Betting on NHL Games in New York

Getting started is simple. Here's the play-by-play.

• Pick a licensed sportsbook from FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, Fanatics, BetRivers, ESPN BET, or Bally Bet. Create an account by downloading the app or visiting the website with accurate info (full name, DOB, address, last four of SSN). Must be 21+.
• Full remote registration, no physical location visit required. Verify identity by uploading your driver's license or passport. Deposit funds via multiple methods (cards, e-wallets, bank transfer).
• Claim promotions by checking the "Promotions" tab for NHL-specific offers. Navigate to NHL/Hockey to find upcoming games. Compare odds across multiple NY sportsbooks (check at least 3). Place your bet through the app or website. Track results and refine your strategy over time.
• Beginner-friendly bets: Anytime goal scorer (lower variance), puck lines (better payouts), first-period unders (less chaotic).

Safe, Responsible Hockey Betting in New York

The New York State Gaming Commission ensures all 9 licensed sportsbooks comply with consumer protection laws. Your funds are protected.

All New York sportsbooks offer deposit limits, wager limits, time-out periods, and self-exclusion options. Use these tools proactively.

Responsible Gambling Resources:

• NY Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or text HOPENY (467369)
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
• Gamblers Anonymous: Meetings throughout New York

If betting ever feels like a burden, reach out. New York's resources are confidential and free.

Never bet money you can't afford to lose. Avoid chasing losses. Track your bets. Stick to a plan. Separate betting funds from your everyday account.

Final Thoughts: New York's Best for NHL Betting

New York is the largest legal sports betting market in the nation, generating billions in monthly handle. With 8 active licensed online sportsbooks (9 licensed, Resorts World closed), NY offers hockey fans competitive odds and deep markets, though the 51% tax rate limits promotional aggressiveness.

FanDuel dominates with ~40% market share, best SGPs, sharp pricing, largest platform. DraftKings excels on props with ~27% market share. Caesars offers loyalty rewards. BetMGM is best for parlay betting. Fanatics has the best rewards program. ESPN BET offers ESPN integration and solid live betting.

‍