TLDR
- New York Senate Bill 10470 would ban mobile sports betting on all college campuses in the state
- Sportsbooks would be required to install geofencing technology to block bets placed from campus grounds
- Colleges would need to provide geographic data and updated maps to support the geofencing systems
- Operators would have until August 1, 2027 to comply if the bill passes
- The proposal is part of a broader wave of gambling reforms New York has pursued throughout 2026
A new bill in New York would ban mobile sports betting on every college campus in the state. Senate Bill 10470, filed by Sen. Andrew Gounardes, has been sent to the Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee for review.
The bill would prohibit licensed mobile sportsbooks from accepting bets placed by anyone physically located on college property. It adds a new section to the state’s racing and wagering law.
Under the proposal, operators and platform providers would not be allowed to “permit, accept, or facilitate” any sports bet originating from a campus. The restriction applies to all licensed mobile sportsbooks operating in New York.
How the Geofencing Requirement Would Work
To enforce the ban, sportsbooks would need to install geolocation and geofencing systems. These systems would have to detect campus boundaries accurately enough to block bets before they are processed.
Colleges would also play a role. Schools would be required to supply the state with their geographic data and updated campus maps so the technology can be properly calibrated.
The state’s gaming commission would write the rules around compliance and set civil penalties for any violations. Operators would have until August 1, 2027 to get the technology in place if the bill becomes law.
A companion bill is also moving through the Assembly. Assembly Bill 10526, introduced by Assemblymembers Rebecca Kassay and Deborah Glick, is being prepared for review by the Racing and Wagering Committee.
The push behind the legislation comes from growing concerns about how easily college students can access betting apps. Students live, study, and spend the majority of their time on campus, making them especially exposed to mobile wagering platforms.
A Busy Year for Gambling Reform in New York
The campus betting proposal is one of several gambling-related measures New York lawmakers have introduced in 2026.
Earlier this year, Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay introduced a bill that would require online sportsbooks to send monthly account activity statements to users through push notifications. That bill, Assembly Bill 10329, passed the Assembly but has stalled in the Senate.
Another proposal from Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, Assembly Bill 9584, also passed its chamber before losing momentum. It sought to outlaw proxy betting and required operators to build systems to detect fraud and account sharing.
Governor Kathy Hochul has called for stronger safeguards as well. She has pushed for biometric tools to prevent underage users from accessing gambling platforms.
Her stance led the New York State Gaming Commission to draft rules that would stop operators from using AI to target bettors with personalized promotions.
Sen. Jeremy Zellner introduced Senate Bill 10153 in April. That bill would create a task force at the Rockefeller Institute to study prop bets and their effect on the state’s market.
New York also launched a decade-long study to examine gambling behaviors across the state. The study, announced by Hochul in April, will be overseen by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports.
If passed, Senate Bill 10470 would take effect immediately, though operators would not need to comply with the geofencing requirements until August 2027.
