New York Attorney General Letitia James is urging players to be vigilant when it comes to avoiding deceptive advertising from online sports betting companies prior to Sunday’s Super Bowl.
And that vigilance entails reading the fine print when it comes to promotions claiming “risk-free” bets and “$1,000 welcome offers” that aren’t always what they seem.
“I urge all New Yorkers watching the Super Bowl and betting online for the first time to be careful — don’t let scammers game your gamble,” James said in a statement.
“Before placing a bet, do your research into the platform, read the fine print of the offer, and follow our other tips to avoid any red flags and keep the odds in your favor. Online sports betting companies that fumble their advertising to mislead New Yorkers can expect to hear from my office.”
Tips for NY sports betting from NY Attorney General
In the statement, an observation was made that since NY online sports betting launched in early January, New Yorkers have been “bombarded with misleading ads on social media and streaming sites.”
These ads promote “risk-free” bets and “$1,000 welcome offers.” The statement noted how these offers “sound like free money, but often come with strings attached without consumers’ awareness.”
As a way to help users maintain caution when taking advantage of NY online sports betting promotions and offers, James offered tips to follow.
Those include:
- Learn what others are saying about the platform
- Read the fine print on bonuses and other promotion
- Beware of unexpected restrictions on accessing your account
Reading fine print a staple of responsible NY sports betting
PlayNY had reported on the disconnect between players reading the fine print and sportsbooks providing clear language when it came to Caesars’ confusing $300 bonus when New York betting apps went live on Jan. 8.
Sportsbooks in the state are incentivized to provide promotions and bonuses to get new bettors through the door, in hopes of keeping them around. But in a rush to jump into the action, many bettors have been left confused and frustrated by what they expected to be easy gains that turned out to be anything but.
As such, with Super Bowl betting standing as the biggest wagering event in the US, James emphasized that users should remain vigilant.
As kickoff nears for Super Bowl LVI, New York will feature seven online sportsbooks:
- FanDuel
- DraftKings
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- PointsBet
- WynnBet
- BetRivers
A source said Resorts World doesn’t expect to launch in NY until after the Super Bowl, with Bally Bet expected to launch in NY sometime in April.
