New York Governor Hochul Unveils Plan to Combat Underage Sports Betting

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, on March 30, previewed measures of a sports betting proposal that, if enacted, would strengthen consumer protections and curb underage sports betting. The governor’s plans, announced during her 2026 State of the State address, could significantly impact how sportsbooks verify accounts, market their services, and monitor user activity across New York, the largest legal betting market in the US.

The proposal comes as state officials increasingly scrutinize the industry’s growth and its accessibility to minors, setting the stage for what could become a template for youth protection measures in legal sports betting markets.

Stricter Age Verification Protocols and Ongoing Monitoring

The protective measures, drafted by the New York State Gaming Commission, confront growing concerns about minors accessing legal sports betting platforms, an issue that has drawn increased attention from regulators, advocacy groups, and lawmakers nationwide. They include more rigorous age verification protocols during account creation and ongoing monitoring to prevent underage users from circumventing existing safeguards. 

“Mobile sports wagering is everywhere, enticing everyone, including our youth, to place bets without fully considering the consequences,” said Gov. Hochul. “We need strong regulatory safeguards to prevent those under 21 from gambling, keep artificial intelligence from preying on gamblers, and require sports wagering operators take real action if one of their customers is showing signs of gambling harm.”

The Gaming Commission recently published two draft regulations to further restrict underage betting. These drafts include measures involving age-assurance and device registration controls, biometric data, and enhanced geolocation controls. The Commission is also considering greater responsible gaming protections, automatically triggered by deposit amounts and other actions.

For bettors, these enhanced verification requirements could mean additional steps during account registration, such as uploading government-issued identification, providing Social Security number verification, or completing facial recognition scans. 

How These Measures May Affect Sportsbooks

The drafted measures would impose substantial compliance obligations on the nine online sportsbooks licensed to operate in New York. These operators would face heightened scrutiny around advertising practices, particularly regarding promotional content that might appeal to underage audiences or appear on platforms frequented by minors. The proposal could restrict certain marketing channels, limit the use of celebrity endorsers popular with youth demographics, and require additional disclaimers and responsible gaming messaging.

In regard to responsible gaming tools, operators may be required to implement more proactive monitoring systems that flag suspicious betting patterns potentially indicative of underage use. This could include analyzing account activity for signs of shared credentials, unusual deposit sources, or betting behaviors inconsistent with verified user profiles. Increased investments in compliance infrastructure, AI monitoring systems, and customer service will be needed to adhere to these potential changes.

Stricter verification and advertising restrictions could impact customer acquisition rates and promotional effectiveness, two critical operational metrics for New York’s sportsbooks. However, operators who successfully implement robust youth protection measures may gain competitive advantages through enhanced brand reputation and reduced regulatory risk. 

The Gaming Commission, meanwhile, would also receive expanded enforcement authority, with potential penalties for violations ranging from fines to license suspension.

A Blueprint for Other States?

These new measures, if passed, position New York to set a regulatory framework for underage betting prevention at a time when sports betting continues expanding across the United States. More than 30 states offer legal sports betting and several others are considering legislation. New York’s regulatory approach carries outsized influence given its market dominance and sophisticated regulatory framework. 

The timing of the announcement suggests Gov. Hochul intends to build momentum ahead of the 2026 legislative session, allowing time for stakeholder input, regulatory development, and public debate. The Gaming Commission is welcoming comments on its draft proposals via email (gamingrules@gaming.ny.gov) until May 15.