In New York, a new legislative proposal could prevent online sports bettors from placing wagers while on college campuses. Introduced by Senator Andrew Gounardes, Senate Bill 10470 aims to restrict online sports betting operators from accepting bets from individuals located on college grounds.
The bill has been forwarded to the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee but has yet to be scheduled for a hearing. Should it be passed, betting operators will have until August 1, 2027, to implement geolocation and geofencing technologies that can identify and block wagers made from campus locations.
Colleges and universities will be required to supply the New York State Gaming Commission with the necessary geographic data and campus boundary information to enforce this regulation. Gounardes emphasized that all mobile sports betting platforms must adopt these technologies by the specified date, ensuring they can effectively detect and prevent betting activities on campus properties.
Currently, New York has nine licensed online sports betting operators, with eight actively operating in the state. The proposed legislation also includes civil penalties for any violations, although the specific amounts are not detailed.
Gounardes clarified that his bill does not aim to outlaw legal sports betting but rather to establish protective measures for a demographic that is particularly vulnerable. He noted that colleges already impose restrictions on alcohol and tobacco use and that existing geolocation tools could similarly be utilized to create boundaries for sports betting.
Additionally, there is a related measure in the Assembly, Assembly Bill 10526, introduced by Assemblymembers Rebecca Kassay and Deborah Glick, which is set to be reviewed by the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee. Gounardes highlighted the increased gambling risks faced by young adults.
“Young people are especially susceptible to gambling addiction, with those aged 18-24 experiencing rates two to three times higher than the general population. We have a responsibility to provide them with protections that ensure their safety,” he stated.
This proposal is part of broader gambling protection initiatives in New York, including Gounardes’ “Sports Wagering and Minors Act,” introduced on January 29, 2026, which mandates age verification for account holders and allows parents to register personal information with platforms to prevent minors from opening accounts.
Governor Kathy Hochul has also called on lawmakers to restrict underage access to online sports betting, stating, “We need to block location-sharing and take further action to prevent online sports gambling from ensnaring our youth in addiction.”
In 2024, Maryland considered a similar ban on campus gambling, but the proposal did not progress. Towson University opposed that initiative, citing concerns about the technical feasibility of a geofence, as well as issues related to accuracy, ethics, and the use of private networks.