You can’t bet on the NFL Draft in New York. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way.
“My legal counsel is taking a look at that now because the interpretation is a draft a sports wager? And probably an argument can be made that it’s not — it’s not a competitive sport,” Sen. Joe Addabbo told PlayNY earlier this week.
“So we’ll have to figure that out but that’s what we’re looking at now.”
Could New York sports betting green light NFL Draft betting?
Addabbo and counterpart Assemb. Gary Pretlow have both spoken recently about wanting to expand the NY sports betting menu. Currently, New Yorkers are prohibited from wagering on individual player award future bets like MVP, Cy Young and the Heisman.
“I’m looking to at least have available to New Yorkers what’s available to New Jersey (bettors),” Pretlow told PlayNY recently.
Addabbo would obviously prefer expanding the sports betting menu administratively rather than legislatively. But that’s TBD at this point.
Both NY and NJ bettors are prohibited from wagering on in-state college teams. But NJ bettors can wager on the NFL Draft.
How NFL Draft odds look in New Jersey
The first round of the 2022 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night. The New York Giants (Nos. 5 and 7) and New York Jets (Nos. 4 and 10) both have two first-round picks each within the top 10. The Buffalo Bills are slotted to select 25th overall.
In essence, NY state regulations prohibit bettors from wagering on the draft. Specifically, the rules state that no licensee shall offer betting on “any event that is not a sports event.”
In New Jersey, however, sportsbooks have welcomed NFL Draft betting leading up to the three-day event.
For example, FanDuel Sportsbook and Caesears Sportsbook both list Travon Walker as the consensus favorite to go No. 1 overall. With a line of -450, it appears as if the Georgia defensive end will head to the Jacksonville Jaguars. North Carolina State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson hold the next best odds.
What do NJ sportsbooks say about New York-specific teams?
New York Jets: No. 4, No. 10
With the fourth overall pick, the Jets expect to bolster their offensive line, if the right player is available. According to FanDuel and Caesars, Ekonwu stands as the favorite to join Gang Green with odds of +350 and +400, respectively.
Six picks later, the NFL betting odds say that the Jets will add a wide receiver for their second-year quarterback Zach Wilson. Potentially available (with odds from FanDuel and Caesars):
- Alabama WR Jameson Williams: +250/+275
- USC WR Drake London: +300/+350
- Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson: +300/+275
New York Giants: No. 5, No. 7
Should he remain unpicked, Mississippi State offensive lineman Charles Cross (+175/+180) could go to the Giants at No. 5. However, if Ekonwu or Alabama OT Evan Neal drop, there may be a chance Big Blue goes that direction.
The Giants won’t have long to make their next choice. At No. 7, a defensive player may attract New York. Cincinnati CB Ahmad Gardner (+300/+275) and LSU CB Derek Stingley (+350/+325) own the best odds according to FanDuel and Caesars.
Buffalo Bills: No. 25
While NJ sportsbooks do not offer betting markets on picks past the 10th slot, FanDuel does accept bets on the position of the player selected by the Bills at No. 25.
- Running back +210
- Cornerback +210
- Offensive lineman +500
Currently, FanDuel Sportsbook NY lists Buffalo as the favorite to win Super Bowl LVII. The Bills’ +650 line bests Tampa Bay (+750) and Kansas City (+950). The same 1-2-3 exists at Caesars NY, with Buffalo owning +700 odds.
