GRACELYN BEACHNER
Asst. Copy Editor & Social Media Manager
Sports gambling was legalized in New York in 2013, and the first official sportsbook was opened in 2019. However, sports gambling didn’t become extremely popular until 2022, when mobile apps for the cause were launched.
FanDuel, Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook are the most popular, and in 2025, 18.65 billion dollars was bet in total on the two apps in New York.
Since 2022, gaming revenue in New York has increased by 1.3 billion dollars as well.
Despite the revenue, the increase in sports betting doesn’t just come with benefits.
In 2022, calls to gambling helplines related to sports betting surpassed calls related to casino gambling.
The number of calls in general has also risen by 8.5% since the apps launched. Most of these calls are from adults ages 18-35, with the average ages of users on the sportsbooks being 21-44.
Below we have an account of someone who engages in sports gambling and some parts of his experience with it.
Q: Why did you start betting? Friends? Entertainment?
A: “I started betting for entertainment and to make money.”
Q: What sportsbooks do you use the most?
A: “I used offshore books before it was regulated. Then it was FanDuel and DraftKings, but I’ve started to use Kalshi more.
*Kalshi is a sports betting app that was launched the same year as the others. Kalshi surged in popularity in 2024 and has gained a significant following over the past year.
Q: Do you consider it fun?
A: “Yes, it’s fun. I like watching sports and competitions, so I don’t need to bet to watch something and enjoy it. That said, I really enjoy the research aspect too.”
Q: What do you think about the negative ideas people have on sports betting?
A: “I agree with a lot of negative issues with it, so I understand the problems people have with it. I believe in freedom to do what you want, so I don’t agree with any bans on it. I would be open to listening to ideas on how to mitigate some problems though.
Q: Do you bet on specific sports more than others?
A: “I primarily bet on NFL and MMA because that’s what I know best. I will bet small amounts on golf though.”
With something as complicated as gambling, there is no expected timeline for one person’s experience with it. While this user has had an overall positive experience, another user could be considered completely addicted after just one or two bets.
It’s important to be aware of this factor when engaging in such activities, like any other pastime that could be addictive, such as drinking, smoking, or even more recently, social media.
With gambling, there may be fewer physical risks than with other fixations; however, that doesn’t mean that the impact can’t be just as harmful.
With the sheer amount of money bet this past year, it’s impossible now to go a day without meeting someone who may engage in sports gambling.
Just in New York, over 1 billion dollars was bet only on the NBA Knicks vs. Spurs final this summer.
Over 587 million dollars was bet on just games three, four and five.
You could only guess what amount of money in those wagers was a user’s last dollars, their savings, their kid’s college tuition fund or a credit card far over the limit.
Betting on sports can be a fun pastime with friends; however, it can turn into a serious addiction.
If you feel like you have crossed that line, you can reach out to SUNY Fredonia’s very own counselling center at (716) 673-3424.
You can also reach out to the New York State 24/7 HOPEline by either calling 1-877-846-7369 or texting 467369.