New York Bill Would Ban Sports Betting on College Campuses

New York lawmakers are considering a bill that would prevent online sportsbooks from accepting wagers placed on college campuses across the state.

Sen. Andrew Gounardes recently introduced Senate Bill 10470, which would require licensed sportsbooks and platform providers to block betting activity from anyone physically located on college property. The proposal has been referred to the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee and already has a companion bill in the Assembly.

The legislation does not seek to ban sports betting outright. Instead, it would create restricted zones around colleges and universities using geolocation technology already deployed by operators in regulated markets.

Sportsbooks Would Be Required to Geofence Campuses

Under the proposal, operators would have until Aug. 1, 2027 to implement geolocation and geofencing systems capable of detecting whether a bettor is located on campus property. Colleges and universities would also be required to provide campus boundary data to help the New York State Gaming Commission enforce the restrictions.

The bill applies to both sportsbook operators and platform providers. Companies that fail to comply could face civil penalties, although the legislation does not currently specify what those penalties would be.

Gounardes has framed the measure as a consumer protection effort focused on younger adults, pointing to studies that show higher rates of gambling-related harm among people between 18 and 24 years old.

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Part of a Broader Regulatory Push

The proposal follows a growing trend of states examining sports betting safeguards beyond traditional licensing and enforcement measures.

Just this week, Louisiana lawmakers advanced legislation aimed at addressing another issue tied to the expansion of legal sports betting. As previously covered, the state sent a bill to Gov. Jeff Landry that would allow regulators to ban bettors who harass athletes, coaches, and sports officials over wagering outcomes.

While the Louisiana measure focuses on bettor behavior after wagers are placed, New York's proposal targets where betting activity can occur in the first place. Both efforts reflect a broader push by lawmakers to address concerns that have emerged as legal sports betting continues expanding across the United States.

New York remains one of the country's largest sports betting markets, generating billions of dollars in wagers annually since launching online sports betting in 2022.